Cardiovascular Reflexes in Workers Exposed to Hand-arm vibration

Abstract

In the present study autonomic function was observed by measuring cardiovascular reflexes. The quiet breathing test, the deep breathing test and the Valsalva manoeuvre were used. The aim was to study the effects of long-term exposure to hand-arm vibration on the cardiovascular reflexes. The study group included 47 workers (lumberjacks and railroad workers) who were exposed to hand-arm vibration. 36% of the subjects had vibration induced white finger (VWF). Comparisons were also made with 5 primary Raynaud's cases. The changes of the R-R interval in the quiet and deep breathing tests had a significant negative correlation with the ages of the subjects. In all the results there was no evidence that hand-arm vibration could cause autonomic dysfunction in general, but there were signs that it could reduce the autonomic function among workers who are susceptibility to developing white finger reactions. Also, it is possible that the primary Raynaud's cases had reduced cardiovascular reflex responses.