Nerve Conduction Study on Sural Nerve among Nepalese Tailors Using Mechanical Sewing Machine

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Occupational Health
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Mechanical sewing machines are prevalent in Nepal, particularly among tailors with lower socioeconomic status.
• Prolonged leg paddling on these machines exposes sural nerves to chronic stress and vibration.
• Limited access to modern technology in developing countries necessitates understanding the health impacts of traditional tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of chronic, strenuous leg paddling on the sural nerves of tailors.
• To compare nerve conduction parameters in tailors using mechanical sewing machines versus a control group.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 30 male tailors and 30 healthy male controls, matched for age and anthropometric measurements.
• Recorded cardio-respiratory parameters (BP, PR, RR) for all participants.
• Utilized standard nerve conduction techniques to assess sensory sural nerve function in both legs, analyzing velocity, amplitude, and latency.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in age, height, weight, BMI, or leg length between groups.
• Cardio-respiratory measurements were comparable between tailors and controls.
• Significantly reduced sensory nerve conduction velocities and amplitudes, with increased latencies, were observed in the sural nerves of tailors compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Chronic mechanical sewing machine operation, via leg paddling, likely causes abnormal sural nerve conduction parameters due to vibration.
• Findings suggest a trend towards presymptomatic or asymptomatic neuropathy in tailors.
• Highlights the occupational health risks associated with traditional machinery in developing economies.