Effect of cold ambient temperature on palmar sweating response to vibration stress

We investigated the effect of cold ambient temperature on the palmar sweating response to vibration stress. Ten healthy, male subjects were exposed to eight ambient temperatures (5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 22, 24 and 28 degrees C). At each ambient temperature, each subject gripped the handle of a vibration generator with his left hand with a grasp strength of 49 N. This hand was then exposed to a 125-Hz sinusoidal vibration with an acceleration of 50 m/s(2) (rms) for 3 min at each ambient temperature. Palmar sweating and skin temperature were measured simultaneously on the palm and the fourth finger, respectively, of the subjects' right palm. The palmar sweating response showed a significant change among eight ambient temperatures. The palmar sweating measured at an ambient temperature of 5 degrees C was found to be significantly larger than those measured at 10, 14, 18, 22, 24 and 28 degrees C. Vibration exposure caused a significant increase in the palmar sweating response. Our results suggest that a cold environment plays a significant role in the palmar sweating response to vibration stress.