Hand-arm vibration syndrome: Workers' experience with functional impairment and disability.
METHODS
Qualitative and descriptive study.


BACKGROUND
Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a prevalent disease in Canada. There is little work on the perspectives of HAVS patients.


OBJECTIVE
Explore perceptions of disability and functional compromise in patients with HAVS.


METHODS
Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with HAVS patients and analysed using content analysis.


RESULTS
The 11 participants reported numbness, pain, and reduced dexterity, strength, and sensation. Participants noted that HAVS was an inevitable aspect of their work. They indicated frustration with their condition and viewed it as a disability. To overcome impairments risky strategies are often used. Participants reported lack of support to manage symptoms and overcome work disability.


CONCLUSIONS
HAVS related impairment is disabling. Workers require improved resources and support to address symptom management and safe strategies to minimize work disability.


CONCLUSIONS
HAVS patients experience functional, social, emotional, and psychological disability.


METHODS
Not applicable.
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Rehabilitation Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: midori.handford@gmail.com.
Midori
M
Handford
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Rehabilitation Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Kiera
K
Lepine
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Rehabilitation Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Kristina
K
Boccia
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Rehabilitation Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Francesca
F
Ruddick
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Rehabilitation Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Darya
D
Alyeksyeyeva
Department of Medicine and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Aaron
A
Thompson
Department of Medicine and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
D Linn
DL
Holness
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Rehabilitation Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sharon
S
Switzer-McIntyre
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D053421:Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile
Functional compromise; Hand-arm vibration syndrome; International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; Occupational disease; Perceptions of disability; Quality of life