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Temperature and vibration thresholds in vibration syndrome.

L Ekenvall, B Y Nilsson, P Gustavsson

British Journal of Industrial Medicine

|December 1, 1986

Summary

Quantitative sensory testing can help diagnose vibration syndrome. Measuring temperature and vibration thresholds offers valuable insights, especially for screening workers exposed to hand-held vibrating tools.

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Area of Science:

Occupational Medicine
Neurology
Sensory Physiology

Background:

Vibration syndrome is a common occupational hazard for workers using hand-held vibrating tools.
Neurological symptoms like paraesthesia, numbness, and pain in the hands are characteristic of vibration syndrome.
Current diagnostic methods like electroneurography may not always detect early-stage nerve damage.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the utility of quantitative assessment of temperature and vibration thresholds in evaluating neurological symptoms associated with vibration syndrome.
To determine if sensory threshold testing can serve as a valuable screening tool for vibration-exposed populations.

Main Methods:

A study involving 37 patients with neurological symptoms from vibrating tool use and 46 healthy controls.
Measurement of temperature thresholds on the thenar eminence and fingers.
Determination of vibration thresholds on the hand and fingers.

Main Results:

Patients exhibited a significantly wider neutral zone between temperature thresholds compared to controls.
Individuals over 45 years old showed higher vibration thresholds.
Electroneurography was abnormal in 18 patients, with six diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Seven patients with normal electroneurography results had impaired sensory thresholds, indicating potential subclinical nerve damage.

Conclusions:

Quantitative sensory threshold testing, particularly for temperature and vibration, provides valuable diagnostic information for vibration syndrome.
These methods are easily adaptable for large-scale screening of vibration-exposed workers outside clinical settings.
The findings suggest that damage to thin myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers may occur in vibration syndrome.

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