Multi Frequency Tactilometry (also called vibrametry) is an objective medical quantitative sensory test method used in diagnostics of sensibility by measuring the ability to perceive vibration on fingers and feet. The basic method is described in the ISO 13091-1/2 standard.

Vibrametry performed at several frequencies, i.e. Multi-frequency Tactilometry, provides an early indication of sensory impairments due to incipient neuropathy or nerve entrapments such as Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Multi Frequency vibrametry was developed by Professor Göran Lundborg et. al, at the Swedish University Hospital in Malmö and Lund.

The method is similar to the prevalent way to conduct hearing tests. One finger is exposed to controlled mechanical vibrations of varying intensity and frequency.

The patient indicates by a pushing a button when she/he feels a vibration at the exposed finger. The VibroSense Meter is a superior example of a medical device for clinical use, i.e. to conduct a Multi-frequency Vibrametry examination.

Area of interest
Multi Frequency Vibrametry can be used in several contexts where neuropathy occurs, e.g. at Hand-arm vibration damage, diabetes, alcoholism, solvent exposed work, medications, etc.

Sensibility injuries often develop insidiously over time e.g. when working with vibrating tools where vibrations are transmitted from the tool to the fingers, hands and arms. This is a common condition in industries such as vehicle repair shops, construction work, engineering, dental and foot care, etc.

Physiological measurement principle
The vibration sense is a part of the tactile sense. In the skin a variety of so-called mechanoreceptors are present, activated by various stimuli including static pressure and vibration. There are several types of receptors that respond to different frequencies.

The vibration sense has a sensibility maximum between 200-250 Hz, which probably involves several types of receptors. The vibration sensibility diminishes with age, particularly the ability to sense higher frequencies. This is very similar to the hearing sense.

Mechanoreceptors are connected to “large nerve fibres” that are grouped together in large nerve trunks that go up to the brain through various "connections". A patient's inability to sense a frequency may therefore reflect several things, ranging from a large fibre neuropathy in the fingers or impaired mechanoreceptors to nerve entrapments (in the wrist, elbow, and neck) on the way to the brain.

Multi Frequency vibrametry utilise the fact that receptors respond to different frequencies, which provides the physician with valuable information as a diagnosis aid.