Skip to main content
Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 6/2016

18.04.2016 | Original Article

A longitudinal study of neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders and alternative measures of vibration exposure

verfasst von: Massimo Bovenzi, Andrea Prodi, Marcella Mauro

Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Ausgabe 6/2016

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the exposure–response relationships between alternative frequency weightings of hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) and neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in a cohort of HTV workers.

Methods

In a three-year longitudinal study, the occurrence of neck and upper limb MSDs was investigated in 249 HTV workers and 138 control men. In the HTV workers, MSDs were related to measures of daily vibration exposure expressed in terms of 8-h energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration magnitude [A(8)]. To calculate A(8), the acceleration magnitudes of vibration were weighted by means of four alternative frequency weightings of HTV. The associations between MSDs, individual characteristics, physical work load other than vibration, and psychological strain were also investigated.

Results

The occurrence of upper limb MSDs was greater in the HTV workers than in the controls. After adjustment for potential confounders, the occurrence of elbow/forearm and wrist/hand MSDs increased with the increase in vibration exposure. A measure of model selection did not reveal any substantial difference in the performance of the alternative frequency weightings of HTV for the prediction of neck and upper limb MSDs. In the study population, age, hard physical work load, and poor psychological well-being were associated with both neck and upper limb MSDs.

Conclusions

In this study, there was evidence for significant exposure–response relationships between HTV exposure and MSDs in the distal sites of the upper limbs. There were no differences in the prediction of neck and upper limb MSDs between measures of daily vibration exposure calculated with alternative frequency weightings of acceleration magnitude.
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Bovenzi M (2010) A prospective cohort study of exposure–response relationship for vibration-induced white finger. Occup Environ Med 67:38–46CrossRef Bovenzi M (2010) A prospective cohort study of exposure–response relationship for vibration-induced white finger. Occup Environ Med 67:38–46CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bovenzi M, Zadini A, Franzinelli A, Borgioni F (1991) Occupational musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper limbs of forestry workers exposed to hand-arm vibration. Ergonomics 34:547–562CrossRef Bovenzi M, Zadini A, Franzinelli A, Borgioni F (1991) Occupational musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper limbs of forestry workers exposed to hand-arm vibration. Ergonomics 34:547–562CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bovenzi M, Pinto I, Picciolo F, Mauro M, Ronchese F (2011) Frequency weightings of hand-transmitted vibration for predicting vibration-induced white finger. Scand J Work Environ Health 37:244–252CrossRef Bovenzi M, Pinto I, Picciolo F, Mauro M, Ronchese F (2011) Frequency weightings of hand-transmitted vibration for predicting vibration-induced white finger. Scand J Work Environ Health 37:244–252CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Burdorf A, van der Beek AJ (1999) In musculoskeletal epidemiology are we asking the unanswerable in questionnaires on physical load? Scand J Work Environ Health 25:81–83CrossRef Burdorf A, van der Beek AJ (1999) In musculoskeletal epidemiology are we asking the unanswerable in questionnaires on physical load? Scand J Work Environ Health 25:81–83CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Burnham KP, Anderson DR (2004) Multimodel inference: understanding AIC and BIC in model selection. Sociol Methods Res 33:261–304CrossRef Burnham KP, Anderson DR (2004) Multimodel inference: understanding AIC and BIC in model selection. Sociol Methods Res 33:261–304CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN) (1996) Mechanical vibration—guide to the health effects of vibration on the human body. CR Report 12349. CEN, Brussels Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN) (1996) Mechanical vibration—guide to the health effects of vibration on the human body. CR Report 12349. CEN, Brussels
Zurück zum Zitat Commission Recommendation of 19 September 2003 concerning the European schedule of occupational diseases (2003/670/EC). Official Journal of the European Union, L 238/28, 25.9.2003 Commission Recommendation of 19 September 2003 concerning the European schedule of occupational diseases (2003/670/EC). Official Journal of the European Union, L 238/28, 25.9.2003
Zurück zum Zitat Concettoni E, Griffin MJ (2009) The apparent mass and mechanical impedance of the hand and the transmission of vibration to the fingers, hand, and arm. J Sound Vib 325:664–678CrossRef Concettoni E, Griffin MJ (2009) The apparent mass and mechanical impedance of the hand and the transmission of vibration to the fingers, hand, and arm. J Sound Vib 325:664–678CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Cui J (2007) QIC program and model selection in GEE analyses. Stata J 7:209–220 Cui J (2007) QIC program and model selection in GEE analyses. Stata J 7:209–220
Zurück zum Zitat Directive 2002/44/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 June 2002 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration) (16th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). Official Journal of the European Communities, L 117/13, 6.7.2002 Directive 2002/44/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 June 2002 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration) (16th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). Official Journal of the European Communities, L 117/13, 6.7.2002
Zurück zum Zitat Dong RG, Welcome DE, Wu JZ (2005) Frequency weightings based on biodynamics of fingers-hand-arm system. Ind Health 43:516–526CrossRef Dong RG, Welcome DE, Wu JZ (2005) Frequency weightings based on biodynamics of fingers-hand-arm system. Ind Health 43:516–526CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gemne G, Saraste H (1987) Bone and joint pathology in workers using hand-held vibrating tools. An overview. Scand J Work Environ Health 13:290–300CrossRef Gemne G, Saraste H (1987) Bone and joint pathology in workers using hand-held vibrating tools. An overview. Scand J Work Environ Health 13:290–300CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Griffin MJ (1997) Measurement, evaluation, and assessment of occupational exposures to hand-transmitted vibration. Occup Environ Med 54:73–89CrossRef Griffin MJ (1997) Measurement, evaluation, and assessment of occupational exposures to hand-transmitted vibration. Occup Environ Med 54:73–89CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Griffin MJ, Howarth HVC, Pitts PM, Fischer S, Kaulbars U, Donati P, Bereton PF (2006) Guide to good practice on hand-arm vibration. European Commission Directorate General Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (contract VC/2004/0341) Griffin MJ, Howarth HVC, Pitts PM, Fischer S, Kaulbars U, Donati P, Bereton PF (2006) Guide to good practice on hand-arm vibration. European Commission Directorate General Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (contract VC/2004/0341)
Zurück zum Zitat Harrington JM, Carter JT, Birrell L, Gompertz D (1998) Surveillance case definitions for work-related upper limb pain syndromes. Occup Environ Med 55:264–271CrossRef Harrington JM, Carter JT, Birrell L, Gompertz D (1998) Surveillance case definitions for work-related upper limb pain syndromes. Occup Environ Med 55:264–271CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hartung E, Dupuis H, Scheffer M (1993) Effects of grip and push forces on the acute response on the hand-arm system under vibrating conditions. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 64:463–467CrossRef Hartung E, Dupuis H, Scheffer M (1993) Effects of grip and push forces on the acute response on the hand-arm system under vibrating conditions. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 64:463–467CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Homma S, Kanda K, Watanabe S (1971) Tonic vibration reflex in human and monkey subjects. Jpn J Physiol 21:419–430CrossRef Homma S, Kanda K, Watanabe S (1971) Tonic vibration reflex in human and monkey subjects. Jpn J Physiol 21:419–430CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Huisstede BMA, Miedema HS, Verhagen AP, Koes BW, Verhaar JAN (2007) Multidisciplinary consensus on the terminology and classification of complaints of the arm, neck and/or shoulder. Occup Environ Med 64:313–319CrossRef Huisstede BMA, Miedema HS, Verhagen AP, Koes BW, Verhaar JAN (2007) Multidisciplinary consensus on the terminology and classification of complaints of the arm, neck and/or shoulder. Occup Environ Med 64:313–319CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (2001) Mechanical vibration—measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration—part 1: general requirements. ISO 5349-1. ISO, Geneva International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (2001) Mechanical vibration—measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration—part 1: general requirements. ISO 5349-1. ISO, Geneva
Zurück zum Zitat Leclerc A, Niedhammer I, Landre M-F, Ozguler A, Etore P, Pietri-Taleb F (1999) One-year predictive factors for various aspects of neck disorders. Spine 24:1455–1462CrossRef Leclerc A, Niedhammer I, Landre M-F, Ozguler A, Etore P, Pietri-Taleb F (1999) One-year predictive factors for various aspects of neck disorders. Spine 24:1455–1462CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Martin BJ, Park H-S (1997) Analysis of the tonic vibration reflex: influence of vibration variables on motor unit synchronization and fatigue. Eur J Appl Physiol 75:504–511CrossRef Martin BJ, Park H-S (1997) Analysis of the tonic vibration reflex: influence of vibration variables on motor unit synchronization and fatigue. Eur J Appl Physiol 75:504–511CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Mayer J, Kraus T, Ochsmann E (2012) Longitudinal evidence for the association between work-related physical exposures and neck and/or shoulder complaints: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 85:587–603CrossRef Mayer J, Kraus T, Ochsmann E (2012) Longitudinal evidence for the association between work-related physical exposures and neck and/or shoulder complaints: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 85:587–603CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Necking LE, Dahlin LB, Fridén J, Lundborg G, Lundström R, Thornell LE (1992) Vibration-induced muscle injury. J Hand Surg 17B:270–274CrossRef Necking LE, Dahlin LB, Fridén J, Lundborg G, Lundström R, Thornell LE (1992) Vibration-induced muscle injury. J Hand Surg 17B:270–274CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Palmer KT, Smedley J (2007) Work relatedness of chronic neck shoulder pain with physical findings—a systematic review. Scand J Work Environ Health 33:165–191CrossRef Palmer KT, Smedley J (2007) Work relatedness of chronic neck shoulder pain with physical findings—a systematic review. Scand J Work Environ Health 33:165–191CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Palmer KT, Haward B, Griffin MJ, Bednall H, Coggon D (2000) Validity of self reported occupational exposure to hand transmitted and whole body vibration. Occup Environ Med 57:237–241CrossRef Palmer KT, Haward B, Griffin MJ, Bednall H, Coggon D (2000) Validity of self reported occupational exposure to hand transmitted and whole body vibration. Occup Environ Med 57:237–241CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Palmer KT, Griffin MJ, Syddall HE, Pannett B, Cooper C, Coggon D (2001) Exposure to hand-transmitted vibration and pain in the neck and upper limbs. Occup Med 51:464–467CrossRef Palmer KT, Griffin MJ, Syddall HE, Pannett B, Cooper C, Coggon D (2001) Exposure to hand-transmitted vibration and pain in the neck and upper limbs. Occup Med 51:464–467CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Park H-S, Martin BJ (1993) Contribution of the tonic vibration reflex to muscle stress and muscle fatigue. Scand J Work Environ Health 19:35–42CrossRef Park H-S, Martin BJ (1993) Contribution of the tonic vibration reflex to muscle stress and muscle fatigue. Scand J Work Environ Health 19:35–42CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Peelukhana SV, Goenka S, Kim B, Kim J, Bhattacharya A, Stringer KF, Banerjee RK (2015) Effect of higher frequency components and duration of vibration on bone tissue alterations in the rat-tail model. Ind Health 53:245–259CrossRef Peelukhana SV, Goenka S, Kim B, Kim J, Bhattacharya A, Stringer KF, Banerjee RK (2015) Effect of higher frequency components and duration of vibration on bone tissue alterations in the rat-tail model. Ind Health 53:245–259CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Pitts P, Mason HJ, Poole KA, Young CE (2012) Relative performance of frequency weighting W h and candidates for alternative frequency weightings for predicting the occurrence of hand-transmitted vibration induced injuries. Ind Health 50:388–396CrossRef Pitts P, Mason HJ, Poole KA, Young CE (2012) Relative performance of frequency weighting W h and candidates for alternative frequency weightings for predicting the occurrence of hand-transmitted vibration induced injuries. Ind Health 50:388–396CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Punnett L, Gold J, Katz JN, Gore R, Wegman DH (2004) Ergonomic stressors and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in automobile manufacturing: a one year follow up study. Occup Environ Med 61:668–674CrossRef Punnett L, Gold J, Katz JN, Gore R, Wegman DH (2004) Ergonomic stressors and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in automobile manufacturing: a one year follow up study. Occup Environ Med 61:668–674CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Sörensson A, Burström L (1997) Transmission of vibration energy to different parts of the human hand-arm system. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 70:199–204CrossRef Sörensson A, Burström L (1997) Transmission of vibration energy to different parts of the human hand-arm system. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 70:199–204CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Tominaga Y (2005) New frequency weighting of hand-arm vibration. Ind Health 43:509–515CrossRef Tominaga Y (2005) New frequency weighting of hand-arm vibration. Ind Health 43:509–515CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat van den Heuvel SG, van der Beek AJ, Blatter BM, Hoogendoorn WE, Bongers PM (2005) Psychosocial work characteristics in relation to neck and upper limb symptoms. Pain 114:47–53CrossRef van den Heuvel SG, van der Beek AJ, Blatter BM, Hoogendoorn WE, Bongers PM (2005) Psychosocial work characteristics in relation to neck and upper limb symptoms. Pain 114:47–53CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Van Rijn RM, Huisstede BMA, Koes BW, Burdorf A (2010) Associations between work-related factors and specific disorders of the shoulder—a systematic review of literature. Scand J Work Environ Health 36:189–201CrossRef Van Rijn RM, Huisstede BMA, Koes BW, Burdorf A (2010) Associations between work-related factors and specific disorders of the shoulder—a systematic review of literature. Scand J Work Environ Health 36:189–201CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI) (2002) Human exposure to mechanical vibration—part 2: hand-arm vibration. Annex E. VDI 2057. VDI, Düsseldorf Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI) (2002) Human exposure to mechanical vibration—part 2: hand-arm vibration. Annex E. VDI 2057. VDI, Düsseldorf
Zurück zum Zitat VIBRISKS (2007) Risks of Occupational Vibration Exposures. FP5 Project No. QLK4-2002-02650. European Commission Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources Programme. Southampton, UK: Human Factors Research Unit, Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton [updated 28 February 2007; cited 1 April 2014]. http://www.vibrisks.soton.ac.uk VIBRISKS (2007) Risks of Occupational Vibration Exposures. FP5 Project No. QLK4-2002-02650. European Commission Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources Programme. Southampton, UK: Human Factors Research Unit, Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton [updated 28 February 2007; cited 1 April 2014]. http://​www.​vibrisks.​soton.​ac.​uk
Zurück zum Zitat Welcome DE, Dong RG, Xu XS, Warren C, McDowell TW, Wu JZ (2015) An examination of the vibration transmissibility of the hand-arm system in three orthogonal directions. Int J Ind Ergon 45:21–34CrossRef Welcome DE, Dong RG, Xu XS, Warren C, McDowell TW, Wu JZ (2015) An examination of the vibration transmissibility of the hand-arm system in three orthogonal directions. Int J Ind Ergon 45:21–34CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Widanarko B, Legg S, Devereux J, Stevenson M (2014) The combined effect of physical, psychosocial/organisational and/or environmental risk factors on the presence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and its consequences. Appl Ergon 45:1610–1621CrossRef Widanarko B, Legg S, Devereux J, Stevenson M (2014) The combined effect of physical, psychosocial/organisational and/or environmental risk factors on the presence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and its consequences. Appl Ergon 45:1610–1621CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
A longitudinal study of neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders and alternative measures of vibration exposure
verfasst von
Massimo Bovenzi
Andrea Prodi
Marcella Mauro
Publikationsdatum
18.04.2016
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Ausgabe 6/2016
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-016-1131-9

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 6/2016

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 6/2016 Zur Ausgabe