Biomedical subjects

Barbara Harazin

Publications and source records attributed to Barbara Harazin.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Measurements of vibrotactile perception thresholds at the fingertips in Poland.

OBJECTIVES: The measurement of vibrotactile perception thresholds (VPTs) at fingertips in workers belongs in Poland among obligatory methods used to diagnose hand-arm vibration syndrome. The aim of the study was to compare vibrotactile perception threshold (VPT) values for healthy subjects using two different types of measuring equipment, i.e. a system designed according to the requirements of the ISO 13091-1 standard and a system that had so far been in use in Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 59 men and 22 women aged on average 40.4 years old participated in the study. The VPT measurements were carried out using a new pallesthesiometer P8 (EMSON-MAT, Poland), developed according to the ISO 13091-1 standard and a vibrotactile meter MCW 2K that had so far been used in Poland. Measurements were taken for the index, middle and ring fingers of both hands using the frequencies of 4, 25, 31.5, 63, 125, 250, 400 and 500 Hz for the ISO method and 63, 125, 250, 400 and 500 Hz for the Polish method. RESULTS: The mean vibrotactile perception threshold values determined with the ISO 13091-1 method were significantly higher in comparison with the values obtained when the method used in Poland was employed. The differences between vibrotactile threshold levels were almost the same at the compared frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the VPT measurements obtained employing the standard method adopted in Poland may be used in further diagnostic examinations carried out with the ISO 13091-1 method only if an appropriate correction value is calculated in order to determine the difference in the VPT levels at a selected frequency.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Occupational exposure to hand-transmitted vibration in Poland].

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to hand transmitted vibration may cause disorders in upper extremities known as hand-arm vibration syndrome. Therefore it is essential to know the sources of vibration, occupational groups exposed to vibration and the number of exposed workers. The aim of the study was to estimate the number of men and women exposed to hand-transmitted vibration in Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The completed questionnaires were obtained from 265 (80%) sanitary inspection stations. They included questions on: the name of workplaces, the name and the type of vibration sources, workers' gender, the number of workers exposed to vibration, indicating the extent of exposure measured against the three threshold limit values (< 0.5 TLV; 0.5 < TLV < 1 and > 1 TLV), and the number of workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration not documented by measurements in a particular workplaces, indicating one of the three possible kinds of exposure (occasional, periodical and constant). The questionnaire data were based on measurements and analyses performed in 1997-2000. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that vibrating tools used by grinders, fitters, locksmiths, rammers, road workers, carpenters and smiths proved to be the most frequent sources of hand-transmitted vibration. It was revealed that 78.6% of operators of these tools were exposed to vibration exceeding 1 TLV. The study also indicated that 17,000 workers, including 1700 women, were exposed to vibration exceeding the threshold limit values.

Arm Injuries↗

PubMed2004

[Comparison of vibrotactile thresholds in women obtained with two psychophysical measurement methods].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine differences between vibrotactile thresholds values in healthy women obtained with two psychophysical methods: the method drafted in ISO standard ISO 13091-1:2001 and the method hitherto used in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty two women (mean age, 37.9 +/- 9.7 years) participated in the study. Vibrotactile perception thresholds were measured in three fingers of both hands using the frequencies of: 4; 25; 31.5; 63; 125; 250; 400 and 500 Hz for the ISO method and respectively 63; 125; 250; 400 and 500 Hz for the Polish method. RESULTS: The mean vibrotactile perception threshold values determined with ISO 13091-1 method were significantly higher than those determined with the method used in Poland. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of individual finger skin temperature on vibrotactile perception values was obtained by ISO method.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Repeatability of vibrotactile perception thresholds obtained with two different measuring systems.

OBJECTIVES: The measurement of vibrotactile perception thresholds (VPTs) on the workers' fingertips is one of the diagnostic methods of the occupational peripheral neuropathies. The aim of the study was to compare the repeatability of VPT measurements in two groups of healthy women with different finger skin temperature, using two different types of measuring systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One measuring system employed a pallesthesiometer, and the measurement procedure complied with the new ISO 13091-1 standard; the other used vibrotactile meter according to the Polish procedure. Ten healthy women, mean age, 38.5 years, took part in 10 sessions, twice a day for over a five-day period. VPTs were measured on 3 fingers of both hands at eight discrete frequencies from 4 to 500 Hz with a pallesthesiometer, and adequately at five frequencies from 63 to 500 Hz with a vibrotactile meter. RESULTS: It was observed that the succession of repeated vibration perception measurements, determined according to the ISO method, did not significantly influence the mean values of vibrotactile thresholds in subjects with the finger skin temperature not lower than 29degrees C. The repeatability of vibrotactile threshold measurements was similar in both groups only when the ISO method was used. The mean VPT values, obtained with the ISO 13091-1 method, were significantly higher in healthy subjects with lower finger skin temperature, which did not exceed 28 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: The results of vibrotactile threshold measurements, obtained according to the ISO 13091-1 method, are repeatable. Repeatability of vibrotactile threshold results obtained with the ISO 13091-1 method, within the range of low frequencies up to 125 Hz does not depend on the finger skin temperature.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Occupational exposure of whole-body vibration in Poland].

Occupational exposure to whole-body vibration may cause health risk. Thus it is important to know the sources of vibration and the number of exposed workers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the number of men and women exposed to whole-body vibration in Poland. The results of the study indicate that almost 50,000 workers are exposed to vibration exceeding the threshold limit values.

Adult↗