Efficacy of a new microvibration sensation measurement device at detecting diabetic peripheral neuropathy using a newly devised finger method

To investigate the efficacy of the finger method using a new microvibration sensation measurement device in the evaluation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). A cross-sectional study of 52 type 2 diabetic outpatients was performed. Patients were evaluated for DPN using American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, and the finger method. Patients were classified into probable DPN or non-DPN groups, according to ADA criteria. The finger method measured peripheral neuropathy vibration (PNV) score of index and middle fingers using the new device in three procedures: PNV 1, PNV 4, and PNV 8. PNV scores ranged from 1 to 30 and were compared between the two groups. The PNV scores were significantly higher in the DPN group (P <.01). The PNV scores for right fingers of DPN and non-DPN groups were 10.2 ± 7.4 and 3.4 ± 3.3 by PNV 1, 20 ± 4.9 and 10.7 ± 5.3 by PNV 4, and 23.2 ± 4.9 and 14.6 ± 7.8 by PNV 8. Our data suggest that the finger method performed with the new device is useful in the evaluation of DPN.