Pallesthesiometer

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The pallesthesiometer is a measuring instrument for measuring the vibration sensitivity on the fingers or toes of patients.

In the case of nerve stimulus transmission from the skin to the brain , the transmission of information can be disturbed at different points and thus lead to a reduction in the skin's sensitivity to vibration. These inflammatory or degenerative nervous diseases are known as polyneuropathies .

Determination of the vibration perception threshold using a pallesthesiometer

In adults, the disease can u. a. in diabetes mellitus (diabetes) cause a decrease in vibration sensitivity depending on the extent of the neuropathy. But also in patients who have been exposed to vibrations at work for many years (e.g. working with a chainsaw), an increased vibration perception threshold can be determined. With a precise and early diagnosis, diabetic polyneuropathy could be detected earlier and appropriate measures could be taken.

In addition to the Rydel and Seiffer vibration fork , electrodynamic vibration exciters, so-called pallaesthesiometers, can also be used to determine the vibration sensitivity (pallaesthesiometry) . There has been an ISO standard since 2001 that describes the use of these diagnostic devices (ISO 13091-1). In the employer's liability insurance association principle G 46, pallesthesiometry is recommended for occupational health check- ups for people exposed to vibration.

The advantages of the pallesthesiometer over the vibration fork are:

  • the higher measurement resolution
  • the reproducible measurement results
  • the few measurement errors (no reading errors)
  • the exact definition of the support point and the pressure force

In everyday clinical practice, however, it only plays a subordinate role.

In ergonomics, the pallesthesioneter is used to investigate the vibration stress. Investigations by Riedel et al. (2008) were able to show that, after exposure to vibrations (150 Hz, ahv = 6 m / s²) on the fingertips of older test persons, there is stronger numbing than younger test persons.

literature

  • KD Ahrend: Validation of pallesthesiometry as a screening method for diagnosing occupational vibration exposure - literature study. Research project BMFT 01 HK 450 3 - HVBG (Main Association of Commercial Professional Associations), 1994.
  • KD Ahrend: The vibrotactile threshold (VT) at the fingertips of chain saw operators. In: Cent Eur J Public Health. 3 Suppl, 1995, pp. 85-87.
  • S. Bloom, S. Till, P. Sonksen, S. Smith: Use of a Biothesiometer to measure individual vibration thresholds and their variation in 519 non-diabetic subjects. In: Br Med J 1984. 288, 1984, pp. 1793-1795.
  • MT Dent, JD Ward, REJ Ryder: Testing for diabetic neuropathy; part 1, somatic nerve function. In: Practical Diabetes. Vol 9, No 1, 1991, pp. 24-28.
  • B. Geissler, C. Kremer, S. Riedel, H. Götte, M. Schneider, Th. Forst, A. Muttray: Survey of vibration threshold values ​​in healthy subjects with a new pallaesthesiometer. Congress of the German Society for Occupational Medicine and Environmental Medicine eV (DGAUM), 50th annual scientific conference, 16. – 19. June 2010 in Dortmund. 2010.
  • R. Quaisser: Frequency-dependent standard values ​​of vibration sensitivity as the basis for a screening test (pallaesthesiometry). Dissertation Inst. For Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz 1994.
  • S. Riedel, A. Muttray, Th. Forst, B. Geißler, C. Kremer, M. Schneider: The development of a measuring instrument to determine the vibration perception threshold. 4th National VDI Conference on Human Vibration; Impact on health - performance - comfort. 4th and 5th May 2010 in Würzburg. (= VDI reports. 2097). Düsseldorf 2010.
  • S. Riedel, N. Buddhdev, B. Husemann, J. Kinne: Investigation of the fine motor skills of the fingers after a high-frequency vibration load . 54th Spring Society. f. Ergonomics, April 9-11, 2008, Munich.
  • ISO 13091-1 (2001-05): Mechanical vibration - Vibrotactile perception thresholds for the assessment of nerve dysfunction - Part 1: Methods of measurement at the fingertips
  • ISO 13091-2 (2003-08): Mechanical vibration - Vibrotactile perception thresholds for the assessment of nerve dysfunction - Part 2: Analysis and interpretation of measurements at the fingertips
  • Employer's liability insurance association principle G 46: Stresses on the muscular and skeletal system