Summary
Vibration detection threshold (VPT) of 149 professional forest workers was measured during a compulsory annual health examination. The authors' earlier developed measuring method for VPT of finger was modified. The blood circulation of the hand was obstructed for 6 min and VPT was measured 4 min after releasing the obstruction. VPTs of all forest workers increased during obstruction. In forest workers suffering from decreased hand grip force (decreased HGF) the increase of VPT differed significantly from forest workers without symptoms, and VPT in the former group still increased after releasing the obstruction. VPT remained also at the raised level after releasing the obstruction with forest workers suffering from vibration-induced white finger (VWF). Nevertheless, on an individual basis even the modified measuring method failed to discriminate subjects without symptoms from those with symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome. The raised VPT and sensitivity for obstruction of blood circulation suggest that the reason for decreased HGF in forest workers may be a consequence of an injury in the peripheral nerves.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aatola S, Färkkilä M, Pyykkö I, Korhonen O, Starck J (1990) Measuring method for vibration perception threshold of finger and its application to vibration exposed workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 62:239–242
Ahlborg G, Voog L (1982) Vibration exposure and distal compression of the median nerve (“Carpal tunnel syndrome”). Läkartidningen 79:4905–4908
Déllon AL (1980) Clinical use of vibratory stimuli to evaluate peripheral nerve injury and compression neuropathy. Plast Reconstr Surg 15:466–470
Falck B, Aarnio P (1983) Left-sided carpal tunnel syndrome in butchers. Scand J Work Environ Health 9:291–297
Färkkilä M (1986) Vibration induced injuries. Br J Ind Med 43:361–362
Färkkilä M, Aatola S, Starck J, Pyykkö I, Korhonen O (1988a) Vibration-induced neuropathy among forestry workers. Acta Neurol Scand 71:221–225
Färkkilä M, Pyykkö I, Jäntti V, Aatola S, Starck J, Korhonen O (1988b) Forestry workers exposed to vibration: a neurological study. Br J Ind Med 45:188–192
International Organization for Standardization (1986) Mechanical vibration — guidelines for the measurement and the assessment of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration, Geneva (ISO 5349)
Johansson RS, Wallbo AB (1979) Detection of tactile stimuli. Thresholds of afferent units related to psychophysical thresholds in the human hand. J Physiol 297:405–422
Juntunen J, Matikainen E, Seppäläinen A-M, Laine A (1983) Peripheral neuropathy and vibration syndrome. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 4:17–24
Kakosy T, Szepesi L (1973) Effects of vibration exposure on the localization of Raynaud's phenomenon in chain saw operators. Work Environ Health 10:134–139
Lundborg G, Dahlin LB, Hansson HA, Pyykkö I (1987) Intraneural oedema following exposure to vibration. Scand J Work Environ Health 13:326–329
Starck J (1984) High impulse acceleration levels in hand-held vibratory tools: An additional factor in hazards associated with the hand-arm vibration syndrome. Scand J Work Environ Health 10:171–178
Starck J, Färkkilä M, Aatola S, Pyykkö I, Korhonen O (1983) Vibration syndrome and vibration in pedestal grinding. Br J Ind Med 40:426–433
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Aatola, S., Färkkilä, M., Pyykkö, I. et al. Vibration perception threshold of forest worker's finger during temporary obstructed blood circulation. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 62, 451–453 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379062
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379062