Vibration perception threshold of forest worker's finger during temporary obstructed blood circulation

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.