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Effect of pneumatic power tool use on nerve conduction velocity across the wrist
Author(s) -
Rosecrance John,
Anton Dan,
Cook Thomas,
Merlino Linda
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
human factors and ergonomics in manufacturing and service industries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.408
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1520-6564
pISSN - 1090-8471
DOI - 10.1002/hfm.20031
Subject(s) - wrist , nerve conduction velocity , work (physics) , ulnar nerve , nerve conduction , hum , median nerve , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anatomy , surgery , engineering , mechanical engineering , elbow , art , performance art , art history
The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of pneumatic power tools altered electrophysiologic properties of the median and ulnar nerves at the wrist during the work shift. Sensory nerve conduction velocities were measured in hands of workers before work and then at 2‐hour intervals during the workday. Ten workers exposed to pneumatic power tool use and 10 workers not exposed to intensive hand activity were evaluated. The conduction velocities slowed significantly across the wrist in the median and ulnar nerves among workers using pneumatic tools but not among control workers. This investigation demonstrated that short‐term exposure to highly intensive hand tasks causes significant slowing in nerve conduction velocity across the wrist. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 15: 339–352, 2005.