title: The vibrotactile threshold (VT) at the fingertips of chain saw operators.
abstract: The vibration sensitivity of the skin at the ten fingertips was tested with 72 chain saw operators examined due to VWF-disease and compared with controls. The vibrotactile perception threshold (frequency f = 125 Hz, load p = 1.3 N) proved to be 3 to 5 times as high for the exposed group compared to controls. There was no correlation between vibration sensitivity and peripheral circulation found in cold provocation test. Two different testing instruments (pallaesthesiometer = vibrotactometer) showed significant differences in results probably due to different technical details of the methods. It may be concluded that a standardization of the instrumentation and method is necessary for testing the vibrotactile perception threshold as a part of the nervous function in a comparable manner.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Health and Social Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Ahrend
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hartung
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dupuis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004056:Differential Threshold; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology*; D016468:Forestry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014110:Touch; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*