[Vibration disease: hygienic and medical aspects]

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Neurology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Aircraft plant workers exposed to local vibration face hazardous conditions (Class 4), leading to persistent high morbidity rates.
• Local vibration is identified as the primary factor contributing to consistently elevated occupational illness levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of pulsed magnetic stimulation (PMS) in treating vibration disease caused by local vibration exposure.
• To evaluate the impact of PMS on the central and peripheral nervous systems and psychological status of affected workers.

Main Methods:

• Computer electroencephalography (EEG) with visual, auditory, and somatosensory evoked potentials.
• Electromyography (EMG) to assess peripheral nerve function in upper and lower extremities.
• Psychological assessments to evaluate cognitive and emotional states.

Main Results:

• PMS improved brain function, enhancing cortical-subcortical and associative area interactions in frontal and temporal lobes.
• Treatment shortened central nervous system conduction times and restored nerve impulse conduction speeds in tibial, median, and ulnar nerves.
• Patients experienced increased hand temperature, reduced vibration and pain sensitivity thresholds, and improved memory and attention.

Conclusions:

• Pulsed magnetic stimulation is an effective treatment for vibration disease, significantly improving neurological and physiological parameters.
• PMS offers a promising therapeutic approach for mitigating the adverse health effects of occupational local vibration exposure.