Normal nerve conduction velocity and vibrotactile perception thresholds in computer users.
OBJECTIVE
A literature report described significantly raised vibration threshold within the territory of the median nerve in a group of office workers and concluded that the results indicated a change in the function of large sensory fibres. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to compare vibrotactile perception thresholds and nerve conduction measurements in the upper extremity between female computer users (secretaries) and female non-users (nurses).


METHODS
Eighty-two secretaries, aged 25-65 (median 44) years and 35 nurses, aged 24-57 (median 46) years went through nerve conduction measurements on the dominant hand and also a vibration threshold test with readings over the hand at five sites which tested cutaneous innervation of the median, ulnar, and radial nerves.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in any parameter of the nerve conduction testing and there was no significant difference in any parameter of the vibration threshold test between secretaries and nurses. The numerical differences between groups were small and in both directions and thus do not indicate a power problem.


CONCLUSIONS
We saw no signs of early neural deficits of large sensory fibres in subjects who intensively use computer keyboard equipment.
Sandén
Helena
H
Department of Occupational Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, S:t Sigfridsgatan 85, 412 66, Göteborg, Sweden. helena.jacobson@amm.gu.se
Edblom
Micael
M
Ekman
Anna
A
Tenenbaum
Artur
A
Wallin
B Gunnar
BG
Hagberg
Mats
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014110:Touch; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014732:Vibration