Ronnie Lundström

Absorption of vibration energy in the human hand and arm.

A possible basis for the risk assessment for hand-transmitted vibration may be to determine the amount of energy absorbed in the human hand and arm. In the present study, the mechanical energy absorption in the hand-arm system was measured within the frequency range of 4 to 1000 Hz. The study was carried out on ten healthy subjects during exposure to sinusoidal vibration. The influence of various experimental conditions, such as vibration direction (Xh, Yh, Zh), grip force (25-75 N), vibration level (8-45 mm/srms), and hand-arm posture were studied. The outcome shows that the energy absorption in the human hand and arm depended mainly on the frequency and direction of the vibration stimulus. Higher vibration levels, as well as firmer handgrips, resulted in higher absorption of energy. Varying hand-arm postures had only a small influence on the amount of absorbed energy, while the constitution of the hand and arm affected the energy absorption to a larger extent.

Local vibrations—Mechanical impedance of the human hand's glabrous skin

The mechanical point impedance has been studied in ten different areas of the glabrous skin of the human hand on three male and three female subjects within the frequency range of 20-10 000 Hz. For all tested areas the impedance decreased with increasing frequency down to a minimum value, corresponding to the natural frequency of the skin. After that, the mechanical impedance was directly proportional to the frequency. The highest natural frequency, about 200 Hz, was measured in the distal areas of the finger and the lowest, about 80 Hz, in the proximal areas of the palm (thenar). Small differences in internal damping were also showed to exist. A great amount of handheld tools used in industry have their maximum vibrational levels within the natural frequency range of the skin. In order to avoid adverse effects the skins mechanical properties should therefore carefully be taken into consideration at designing vibrating tools.

Mechanical impedance of the human body in vertical direction

The mechanical impedance of the human body in sitting posture and vertical direction was measured during different experimental conditions, such as vibration level (0.5-1.4 m/s2), frequency (2-100 Hz), body weight (57-92 kg), relaxed and erect upper body posture. The outcome shows that impedance increases with frequency up to a peak at about 5 Hz after which it decreases in a complex manner which includes two additional peaks. The frequency at which the first and second impedance peak occurs decreases with higher vibration level. Erect, compared with relaxed body posture resulted in higher impedance magnitudes and with peaks located at somewhat higher frequencies. Heavy persons show higher impedance magnitudes and peaks at lower frequencies.

Vibrotactile function of the hand in compression and vibration-induced neuropathy. Sensibility index--a new measure.

The perception thresholds for vibration stimuli of the hand at seven frequencies (8-500 Hz) were evaluated in 300 patients referred to the Department of Hand Surgery in Malmö during the years 1985-1990 for various types of neuropathy (carpal tunnel syndrome, vibration-induced neuropathy, cervical rhizopathy, brachialgia, ulnar neuropathy, radial tunnel syndrome, and polyneuropathy). A sensibility index was calculated by dividing the integrated area under the obtained vibrogram curve of each object tested (areaT) by that of the corresponding area under a superimposed and age matched reference curve (areaR). Sensibility index of less than 0.8 was regarded as the cut off value. The index and little fingers bilaterally were tested to reflect median and ulnar nerve function. There were considerable variations in patterns of pathology among the various groups of patients. In patients with unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome only 10 patients (23%) had abnormalities limited to one recording, while 21 patients (47%) showed abnormalities in all four recordings. This indicates that an isolated carpal tunnel syndrome may reflect more generalised disease of the peripheral nervous system.

Exposure to Infrasound — Perception and Changes in Wakefulness:

The present paper is a description of some laboratory experiments carried out in order to investigate the perception and changes in wakefulness occurring during exposure to infrasound. Perception of infrasound is based on hearing and vibrations in different parts of the body. Threshold of audibility was found to be approximately 110 dB(lin) at 4 Hz and 90 dB(lin) at 20 Hz. Sensations through vibrations were found to occur at about 20 dB above the hearing threshold levels. As far as vibrotactile sensation is concerned no difference was found to exist between deaf and hearing subjects. Hearing sensations could not be registered for neurosensory deafness. 10 deaf and 10 hearing subjects were exposed for 20 minutes at 6 Hz, 115 dB(lin). Reduced wakefulness was noticed among the hearing subjects but not among the deaf subjects. According to these results, changes in wakefulness of infrasound is based on cochlear stimulation. It is suggested that a reduction in wakefulness that is attributable to infrasound occurs at pressure levels close to the auditory threshold.

The apparent mass of the human body exposed to non-orthogonal horizontal vibration

Apparent masses of 15 male and 15 female subjects have been measured during exposure to various directions of horizontal vibration. Twenty vibration conditions were used in the experiment. In each of five directions (0, 22.5, 45, 67.5 and 90 degrees to the mid-sagittal plane) subjects were exposed to random vibration in the frequency range of 1.5-20 Hz at 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 m s(-2) r.m.s. The five remaining conditions were selected to give measurements whereby the magnitude of the x-component of the vibration was fixed and the gamma-component changed and vice-versa. Two peaks were observed in the apparent masses. The first peak occurred at about 3 Hz and reduced in frequency with increases in vibration magnitude. The frequency of the first peak also reduced as the direction of vibration changed from 0 to 90 degrees. The magnitude of the peak increased as the vibration magnitude and direction increased. The second peak occurred at about 5 Hz and decreased in both frequency and magnitude with increases in vibration magnitude. There was no change in the frequency of the second peak with vibration direction, although the magnitude of the peak decreased as the angle of vibration to the mid-sagittal plane increased. Increasing the magnitude of the x-component of vibration whilst using a fixed y-component changed the magnitude of the first peak but did not change the frequency of the first or any characteristics of the second peak. In contrast, increasing the y-component of vibration whilst using a fixed x-component changed the frequencies and magnitudes of both peaks. Predictions of the response at 45 degrees by applying the principle of superposition to data measured at 0 and 90 degrees showed that the response of the body with direction was not linear. This implies that the apparent mass in non-orthogonal axes cannot be predicted from the apparent masses measured in orthogonal directions.

Skeletal Muscle Changes After Short Term Vibration

Six female Wistar rats were anaesthetised and attached to a vibrating table, (80 Hz/32 m/s2) five hours daily for two days. Histological, enzyme and immunohistochemical, and morphometric analyses of the directly exposed and opposite control plantar muscles were made. Neither fibre necrosis nor regenerative activity were seen. The mean (SD) area (micron2) of vibration-exposed muscle fibres was significantly increased compared with controls (682 (274) and 642 (230), p < 0.05). Both type 1 and 2C fibres were significantly larger after vibration (773 (293) and 650 (223) compared with 683 (209) and 579 (149), p < 0.05) while type 2A and 2AB fibres were not significantly enlarged. The percentage of centrally located nuclei was significantly increased after vibration. This study shows that short term vibration can induce changes in size in muscle fibres. We postulate that this is the first indication of a vibration-induced muscle injury that may develop into chronic impairment of muscle function if the exposure continues for an extended period of time.

Vibration-Induced Muscle Injury An experimental model and preliminary findings

The hind paws of rats were subjected to vibration at a frequency of 80 Hz., an acceleration of 32 m./s.2 rms (i.e. ahw~6.3m./s.2 rms) for five hours daily during five consecutive days. Morphological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses of the soleus, extensor digitorum longus and the plantar muscles in the vibrated limb and the contralateral control limb were performed. No changes were seen in the soleus or extensor digitorum longus muscles but different degrees of degeneration of the muscle fibres were seen in the plantar muscle sections as well as signs of regeneration. No changes were observed in the contralateral unexposed limb. It is concluded that it is not only nervous tissue but also muscle tissue that can be affected by vibration. The changes seem to be confined to muscles close to the vibration exciter.

Vibrotactile perception threshold measurements for diagnosis of sensory neuropathy

SummaryRecognition of the fact that impairment of the tactile sense may occur independently of other disturbances in the vibration syndrome has rekindled an interest in developing a diagnostic method for early detection of vibration-induced neuropathy. There is also evidence suggesting that vibrotactile measurements represent a valuable diagnostic tool in compressive neuropathies, such as the carpal tunnel syndrome. The method may also become useful for diagnosing sensory neuropathies caused by other factors, such as solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, alcoholism, and diabetes. However, before vibrotactile measurement can be accepted and established as a tool for clinical diagnostic purposes, for screening, and in research, the level and the shape of the normal threshold curve have to be specified. With the purpose of assembling normative data, the vibrotactile perception thresholds (8–500 Hz) of the right index fingertip were measured in 171 healthy males (19–75 years) not exposed to vibration. A Békésy audiometer was modified to operate in combination with a vibration exciter, instead of headphones, at frequencies lower than usual (8–500 Hz). The results showed that the perception thresholds increased from about 100 dB to about 140 dB (rel. 10−6 m/s2rms) as a function of frequency and age. The frequency-dependent changes were not linear, however, but displayed a peak in sensitivity at 125 Hz. Threshold changes due to aging were most pronounced at the highest frequencies. It is of the utmost importance that these natural changes are taken into account when making comparisons between groups or individuals.

Effects of Local Vibration on Tactile Perception in the Hands of Dentists

Ten dentists and ten controls have been studied as regards vibration perception thresholds (PT) and temporary threshold shift (TTS) which normally appears after a short period of fatigue stimulation. PT has been studied within the frequency range 40–400 Hz and TTS for 100 and 250 Hz. For both groups tested perception between left and right hand has been compared. All dentists and all controls, except one, were right-handed. The dentists had in opposition to the controls, been exposed professionally to local vibration with high frequencies (>1000 Hz) from ultra high speed handpieces used in modern dental work. For dentists a reduction of vibration perception could be shown for the right hand. For controls no differencies in vibration perception between hands could be shown. This result supports the suspicion that vibration with high frequencies (>1000 Hz) has a negative influence on human tissues and structures of tissues.