Concomitant changes and response patterns in finger vibrotactile perception and blood flow induced by acute exposure to hand-arm vibration

Purpose: The main purpose was to investigate the concomitant changes and response patterns in finger vibrotactile perception threshold (VPT) and finger blood flow (FBF) induced by acute exposure of healthy subjects to hand-arm vibration (HAV). Methods: Four right fingers of ten subjects were randomly exposed to vibration (31.5 Hz and 125 Hz with a frequency-weighted acceleration of 5.5 m/s^2 rms) or no vibration for 5 min. Pre- and post-exposure FBF and VPT in the exposed fingers were measured. Results: Compared to corresponding before-exposure values, vibration exposure only under 125 Hz condition caused significant increase in VPT in both index and little fingers at both 31.5 Hz and 125 Hz test frequencies. Also, exposure to acute vibration prevented significant reductions in FBF revealed for the control condition under both vibration exposure conditions, and led to a non-significant increase in FBF under125 Hz exposure condition. Conclusions: VPT responses to the current magnitude of vibration were probably predominantly mediated by the Pacinian mechanoreceptors. Acute exposure to HAV may prevent vasoconstriction resulting from the push force exerted by the exposed fingers.

Hand-arm vibration

acute exposure

vibrotactile perception

blood flow

human fingers