Interrater Reliability of Four Sensory Measures in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Sensory disturbances are a major problem for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and up to 80% of people with MS present with various sensory deficits. To date, only one study has investigated the reliability of sensory measures in people with MS. We sought to determine the interrater reliability of the verbal analogue scale (VAS), the Erasmus MC modifications to the revised Nottingham Sensory Assessment (EmNSA), Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments (SWMs), and the neurothesiometer (NT) in people with MS.

The prevalence, distribution, and functional importance of lower limb somatosensory impairments in chronic stroke survivors: a cross sectional observational study

“…Further insight may also be provided by a detailed analysis of how lower limb somatosensation is measured. The results of this study and others [28,67,68] highlight issues regarding the validity, reliability, and appropriateness of traditional, clinical measures of somatosensory detection, particularly within the context of function. Such measures may lack the sensitivity to capture the complex somatosensory changes, which may occur following stroke.…”

Comparing the effects of whole-body vibration to standard exercise in ambulatory people with Multiple Sclerosis: a randomised controlled feasibility study

“…Previously studies found no statistically significant changes within and between groups on the Nottingham Sensory Assessment. 32, 34 However, we found that the reliability of the Nottingham Sensory Assessment was questionable 40 and, it may not be sufficiently sensitive in detecting changes in sensation in this population. Our preliminary data suggest that significant differences for vibration threshold were only found in the exercises group for the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint and heel area.…”

“…High ICC values (test-retest reliability, ranging from 0.81 for the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint to 0.92 for heel) were found for the Neurothesiometer in PwMS. 40`V erbal analogue scales (VAS) were used to determine patient's subjective feeling of numbness and the presence of pins and needles, tingling or burning sensation in the feet and hands. VAS are used widely to assess variations in intensity of musculoskeletal pain and have moderate to good test-retest reliability.…”

Reliability and Validity of the Computerized Dynamic Posturography Sensory Organization Test in People with Multiple Sclerosis

“…Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the participants. Test-retest reliability between the sessions was assessed using the two-way random-effects, single-measurement interclass correlation coefficient (ICC [2,1]); ICC values of 0.75 to 1.0 were considered excellent; 0.40 to 0.74, fair to good; and less than 0.40, poor. 20 Two-sided independent t tests were used to evaluate differences between the lower-and higherdisability groups for the composite CDP-SOT scores as well as equilibrium scores for each condition.…”