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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 01-01-2017 | Original Article

Tremor and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in road maintenance workers

Authors: Rita Bast-Pettersen, Bente Ulvestad, Karl Færden, Thomas Aleksander C. Clemm, Raymond Olsen, Dag Gunnar Ellingsen, Karl-Christian Nordby

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate postural and rest tremor among workers using vibrating hand tools, taking into account the possible effects of toxicants such as alcohol and tobacco. A further aim was to study workers diagnosed with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) at the time of examination.

Methods

This study comprises 103 road maintenance workers, 55 exposed to vibrating hand tools (age 41.0 years; range 21–62) and 48 referents (age 38.5 years; range 19–64). They were examined with the CATSYS Tremor Pen^®. Exposure to vibrating tools and serum biomarkers of alcohol and tobacco consumption were measured.

Results

Cumulative exposure to vibrating tools was associated with increased postural (p < 0.01) and rest tremor (p < 0.05) and with a higher Center Frequency of postural tremor (p < 0.01) among smokers and users of smokeless tobacco. Rest tremor Center Frequency was higher than postural tremor frequency (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The main findings indicate an association between cumulative exposure to hand-held vibrating tools, tremor parameters and consumption of tobacco products. The hand position is important when testing for tremor. Rest tremor had a higher Center Frequency. Postural tremor was more strongly associated with exposure than rest tremor. The finding of increased tremor among the HAVS subjects indicated that tremor might be a part of the clinical picture of a HAVS diagnosis. As with all cross-sectional studies, inferences should be made with caution when drawing conclusions about associations between exposure and possible effects. Future research using longitudinal design is required to validate the findings of the present study.

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Title: Tremor and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in road maintenance workers
Authors: Rita Bast-Pettersen
Bente Ulvestad
Karl Færden
Thomas Aleksander C. Clemm
Raymond Olsen
Dag Gunnar Ellingsen
Karl-Christian Nordby
Publication date: 01-01-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-016-1175-x

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Tremor and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in road maintenance workers

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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