Based on a clinical trial at the School of Dentistry, Aarhus University in Denmark, a poster with the title “Test-retest variability and accuracy of a new palpometer” was presented at the IADR meeting in San Diego March 16-19 2011.

Poster highlights

The participants were instructed to target 0.5 kg, 1 kg and 2 kg on the force meter by alternating between the new palpometer and the index finger.

Main conclusions:

1) The new palpometer has very low test-retest variability

2) The new palpometer provides a more accurate and reproducible pressure stimulus than manual palpation
3) New palpometer could be a further step in the standardization of clinical examination method

Following the poster, a publication by S. Futarmal 1, M. Kothari 1, E. Ayesh1, L. Baad-Hansen 1, and P. Svensson 1,2 was published in the Journal of Dental Research July 2011, page 918-922.

Quotes from the publication

“It was a striking finding that reported twice there were no differences between the 2 repeated experiments with the palpometer, which clearly indicates, that the device was used very consistently by the participants. This means that the feedback provided by the tapered end touching the hand was adequate to allow for the generation of a reproducible force.” (page 921)

“In conclusion, the new palpometer had low test-retest variability and provided more accurate and reproducible pressure stimulus than manual palpation.” (page 921)

http://jdr.sagepub.com/content/90/7/918.abstract