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Finger tremor and cigarette smoking
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|July 1, 1980
Summary
Smoking significantly amplifies finger tremor amplitude. This study found a twofold increase in tremor across all measured frequencies (1-25 Hz) after smoking a cigarette.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Tremor is an involuntary oscillatory movement.
- Smoking is a common habit with known physiological effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the effect of smoking on finger tremor.
- To analyze tremor changes across various frequencies.
Main Methods:
- Finger tremor was measured using a strain gauge and accelerometer.
- Frequency analysis was performed on recorded tremor data.
- Tremor amplitude was compared during control, sham smoking, and actual smoking conditions.
Main Results:
- Smoking significantly increased tremor amplitude.
- The increase in tremor amplitude was at least twofold.
- This effect was observed across all frequencies from 1 Hz to 25 Hz.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoking is a potent enhancer of finger tremor.
- The physiological mechanisms underlying this tremor augmentation warrant further investigation.