Reductions in finger blood flow induced by 125-Hz vibration: effect of location of contact with vibration.

Abstract

This study investigated whether the reductions in finger blood flow induced by 125-Hz vibration applied to different locations on the hand depend on thresholds for perceiving vibration at these locations. Subjects attended three sessions during which vibration was applied to the right index finger, the right thenar eminence, or the left thenar eminence. Absolute thresholds for perceiving vibration at these locations were determined. Finger blood flow in the middle finger of both hands was then measured at 30-s intervals during five successive 5-min periods: (i) pre-exposure, (ii) pre-exposure with 2-N force, (iii) 2-N force with vibration, (iv) post-exposure with 2-N force, (v) recovery. During period (iii), vibration was applied at 15 dB above the absolute threshold for perceiving vibration at the right thenar eminence. Vibration at all three locations reduced finger blood flow on the exposed and unexposed hand, with greater reductions when vibrating the finger. Vibration-induced vasoconstriction was greatest for individuals with low thresholds and locations of excitation with low thresholds. Differences in vasoconstriction between subjects and between locations are consistent with the Pacinian channel mediating both absolute thresholds and vibration-induced vasoconstriction.