1. |
- Bitaraf, Nazanin
(författare)
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The electrophysiological response of medial preoptic neurons to hypoxia and development of a system for patch-clamp measurement with full oxygen control
- 2011
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- A stroke is caused by interruption of the blood supply to the brain. Yearly 15 million people around the globe endure a stroke and the costs and suffering for the people involved and the society are immense. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the response to oxygen deprivation in neurons from the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) that have a high abundance of neuroglobin. The long term goal is to investigate the neuroprotective role of the protein in relation to stroke. Initially, the electrophysiological response of neurons to hypoxic exposure in an open system was assessed with a conventional patch-clamp setup. The first aim was to see how well the conventional system worked and if it needed improvement. Secondly, the MPN had never been investigated regarding oxygen, deprivation; hence the electrophysiological response under hypoxia needed to be investigated. The conventional patch-clamp system only allowed a reduction of the oxygen content to a level of 3-6% but not total control of the cell environment. The medial preoptic neurons showed mainly an increase of their resting membrane potential at hypoxia. The voltage activated Ca2+ and K+ currents displayed a clear attenuation when cells were subjected to hypoxia. Non-L-type Ca2+ channels were affected by hypoxic exposure and one cell indicated participation of Ca2+ activated K+ channels. However, a response could only be seen in approximately fifty percent of the neurons in the open system. This may have been due to the fact that full control of the oxygen around the neurons at hypoxia could not be achieved. A new system with full control of the ambient oxygen had to be developed in order to investigate this. After the conclusions of the first experiments, a system was developed were a labon- a-chip system was combined with the patch-clamp technique. A microfluidic system with a patch-clamp micropipette integrated was combined with optical tweezers for 3D maneuvering of the neurons. The development of patch-clamp in combination with a microfluidic system and optical tweezers allowed for full oxygen control. The experiments showed that the electrophysiological measurements were not affected by the laser when an infrared laser was used. The microfluidic system allowed very good oxygen control reaching levels of 0.5-1.5 % compared to 3-6 % in the open system. In summary, this work suggests that high voltage activated Ca2+ channels, and K+ channels are involved in the hypoxic depolarization of medial preoptic neurons. Full control of ambient oxygen in cell vicinity could be achieved by the combination of microfluidics, patch-clamp and optical tweezers. The results can be used in future studies to better understand the reaction of the brain to oxygen deprivation caused by stroke.
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2. |
- Björ, Bodil, et al.
(författare)
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Cold health impacts in northern Sweden
- 2016
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Ingår i: International Journal of Circumpolar Health. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1239-9736 .- 2242-3982. ; 75:33200
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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3. |
- Boschman, J. S., et al.
(författare)
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Relationships between work-related factors and musculoskeletal health with current and future work ability among male workers
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 90:6, s. 517-526
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose was to increase job-specific knowledge about individual and work-related factors and their relationship with current and future work ability (WA). We studied cross-sectional relationships between mental demands, physical exertion during work, grip strength, musculoskeletal pain in the upper extremities and WA and the relationships between these variables and WA 11 years later. We used a dataset of a prospective cohort study (1997-2008) among employees of an engineering plant (n = 157). The cohort was surveyed by means of tests and written questions on work demands, musculoskeletal health, WA score (WAS; 0-10), and mental and physical WA. Spearman correlation coefficients and logistic regression analysis were used. Among manual workers, we found weak correlations between grip strength and current and future physical WA. We did not find predictors for future poor WA among the manual workers. Among the office workers, we found that musculoskeletal pain was moderately and negatively related to current WAS and physical WA. More handgrip strength related to better future WAS and physical WA. Musculoskeletal pain (OR 1.67 p < 0.01) and lower handgrip strength (OR 0.91 p < 0.05) predicted future poor WA among office workers. Our results showed cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between musculoskeletal health and work ability depending on occupation. However, the present implies that predicting work ability in the far future based on health surveillance data is rather difficult. Testing the musculoskeletal system (grip strength) and asking workers' about their musculoskeletal health seems relevant when monitoring work ability.
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4. |
- Burström, Lage, et al.
(författare)
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A follow-up study of welders’ exposure to vibration in a heavy engineering production workshop
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Low Frequency Noise Vibration and Active Control. - : Sage Publications. - 0263-0923 .- 1461-3484 .- 2048-4046. ; 29:1, s. 33-39
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Manual work involving vibrating power tools is associated with symptoms that include vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. This study examines the vibration exposure of welders to determine the change between 1987 and 2008. Vibration measurements on handheld tools were used to evaluate the acceleration and the daily exposure time was determined by subjective rating. From these data, the 8-hour equivalent vibration exposure A(8), has been calculated. During the period, the A(8) decreased from 3.9 m/s2 to 1.9 m/s2. It was concluded that this decrease is the result of fewer vibrating tools and a decrease in daily exposure time. Although the daily vibration exposure has decreased over the study time, for some welders the daily vibration exposure A(8) is still above the action value set by the EU directive on vibration. This means more effort should be spent to decrease vibration exposure.
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5. |
- Burström, Lage, et al.
(författare)
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Absorption of vibration energy in the human hand and arm
- 1994
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Ingår i: Ergonomics. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0014-0139 .- 1366-5847. ; 37:5, s. 879-890
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A possible basis for the risk assessment for hand-transmitted vibration may be to determine the amount of energy absorbed in the human hand and arm. In the present study, the mechanical energy absorption in the hand-arm system was measured within the frequency range of 4 to 1000 Hz. The study was carried out on ten healthy subjects during exposure to sinusoidal vibration. The influence of various experimental conditions, such as vibration direction (Xh, Yh, Zh), grip force (25-75 N), vibration level (8-45 mm/srms), and hand-arm posture were studied. The outcome shows that the energy absorption in the human hand and arm depended mainly on the frequency and direction of the vibration stimulus. Higher vibration levels, as well as firmer handgrips, resulted in higher absorption of energy. Varying hand-arm postures had only a small influence on the amount of absorbed energy, while the constitution of the hand and arm affected the energy absorption to a larger extent.
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6. |
- Burström, Lage, 1954-, et al.
(författare)
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Acute effects of vibration on thermal perception thresholds
- 2006
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Ingår i: Diagnosis of injuries caused by hand-transmitted vibration - 2nd International workshop, Göteborg, 2006. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective This study focuses on the acute effects of vibration and how vibrations influence the measures of the thermal perception thresholds during different vibration magnitudes, frequencies, and durations.Methods The fingers of ten healthy subjects, five males and five females, were exposed to vibration under 16 conditions with a combination of different frequency, intensity and exposure time. The vibration frequency was 31.5 and 125 Hz and exposure lasted between 2 and 16 min. The energy-equivalent frequency weighted acceleration, according to ISO 5349-1, for the experimental time of 16 min was 2.5 or 5.0 m/s(2) (r.m.s.), corresponding to a 8-h equivalent acceleration, A(8) of 0.46 and 0.92 m/s(2), respectively. A measure of the thermal perception of cold and warmth was conducted before the different exposures to vibration. Immediately after the vibration exposure the acute effect was measured continuously on the exposed index finger for the first 75 s, followed by 30 s of measures at every minute for a maximum of 10 min. If the subject's thermal thresholds had not recovered, the measures continued for a maximum of 30 min with measurements taken every 5 min.Results For all experimental conditions and 30 s after exposure, the mean changes of the thresholds compared with the pre-test were found to be 0.05 and -0.67C for the warmth and cold thresholds, respectively. The effect of the vibration exposure was only significant on the cold threshold and only for the first minute after exposure when the threshold was decreased. The warmth threshold was not significantly affected at all. The frequency and the exposure time of the vibration stimuli had no significant influence on the perception thresholds for the sensation of cold or warmth. Increased equivalent frequency weighted acceleration resulted in a significant decrease of the subjects' cold threshold, not the warmth. The thresholds were unaffected when changes in the vibration magnitude were expressed as the frequency weighted acceleration or the unweighted acceleration.Conclusion When testing for the thermotactile thresholds, exposure to vibration on the day of a test might influence the results. Until further knowledge is obtained the previous praxis of 2 h avoidance of vibration exposure before assessment is recommended.
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7. |
- Burström, Lage, 1954-, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of vibration exposure on tactile and thermal perception thresholds
- 2009
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Ingår i: Occup Med (Lond). - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1471-8405 .- 0962-7480. ; 59:3, s. 174-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: To establish if intermittent exposure to hand-transmitted vibration had the same effect as continuous exposure on the temporary response of finger tactile and thermal perception thresholds. METHODS: Two laboratory experiments were conducted. In each, 10 healthy subjects, five males and five females, participated. The subjects' fingers were exposed to vibration under four conditions with a combination of different periods of exposure and rest periods. The vibration frequency was 125 Hz and the frequency-weighted acceleration was 5 m/s(2). A measure of the tactile or thermal perception was conducted before the different exposures to vibration. Immediately after the vibration exposure, the acute effect was measured continuously for the first 75 s. This was followed by regular measures for a maximum of 30 min. RESULTS: The results showed that combinations of vibration with different periods of exposure and rest periods significantly influenced vibrotactile perception, but not thermal perception. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that intermittent exposure to hand-transmitted vibration might be more beneficial for the response of the finger vibrotactile sensation than continuous exposure. This finding is inconsistent with the evaluation methods in ISO 5349-1 for vibrotactile sensation, but accurate for thermal perception.
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8. |
- Burström, Lage, et al.
(författare)
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Mechanical energy absorption in human hand-arm exposed to sinusoidal vibration
- 1988
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 61:3, s. 213-216
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A possible basis for risk assessment of human exposure to vibration when using hand-held tools may be to determine the amount of mechanical energy that is absorbed by the hand-arm system. The aim of this investigation was to study the absorption of mechanical energy in the human hand-arm system during exposure to sinusoidal vibration within the frequency range of 20 to 1500 Hz. A handle, specially designed for this type of experiments, was used during the measurements. The influence of various experimental conditions, such as three different hand-arm postures, grip force (25–75 N) and vibration levels (27–53 mm/srms), were studied on eight subjects. The outcome clearly shows that the energy absorption properties of the human hand-arm system are more or less dependent on all of the experimental conditions studied, but mainly to the frequency of the vibration stimuli. Furthermore, the results indicate a non-linear relationship between the energy absorbed and all other variables studies.
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9. |
- Burström, Lage, et al.
(författare)
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Mechanical impedance of the human hand-arm system
- 1989
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Ingår i: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-8141 .- 1872-8219. ; 3:3, s. 235-242
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Summary The mechanical impedance of the hand and arm was studied on ten healthy subjects during exposure to sinusoidal vibration within the frequency range of 2 to 1000 Hz. A special handle for the measurements was constructed. The influence of vibration direction, handle grip, grip force, vibration level, hand-arm posture and sex as well as anthropometric data were studied. The results show that the impedance of the hand-arm mainly depends on the frequency and direction of the vibration stimuli. Higher vibration levels, as well as more firm hand-grips, resulted in higher impedance. Furthermore, the outcome shows that experiments conducted with different hand-arm postures had an active influence on the mechanical impedance. Moreover, the subjects' sex and constitution of the hand and arm affected the impedance to a large extent.
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10. |
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11. |
- Burström, Lage, et al.
(författare)
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Relationship between hand-arm vibration exposure and onset time for symptoms in a heavy engineering production workshop
- 2006
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Ingår i: Scand J Work Environ Health. - 0355-3140. ; 32:3, s. 198-203
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study examined onset time for reported vascular and neurological symptoms in relation to the vibration load in a group of workers exposed to vibration. METHODS: Information on the self-stated year for the first occurrence of symptoms was collected by means of questionnaires. During interviews data were obtained on self-stated estimations of daily exposure time, type of tool, and number of months or years with different exposures. The estimations of the vibration magnitudes of exposure were based on conducted measurements. From these data, the individual vibration exposure at the time of onset of symptoms was calculated. RESULTS: The incidence was 25.6 and 32.9 per 1000 exposure years for vascular and neurological symptoms, respectively, in the group of workers. The first onset of symptoms appeared after an average of 12 years of exposure. For the workers, the symptoms of vascular or neurological disorders started after about the same number of exposure years. The calculated accumulated acceleration correlated best with the onset time of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that, since the workers' exposure to vibration was below the action level established in the European vibration directive, the results suggest that the action level is not a safe level for avoiding vascular and neurological symptoms.
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12. |
- Burström, Lage, 1954-, et al.
(författare)
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Vibrotactile perception and effects of short-term exposure to hand-arm vibration
- 2009
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Ingår i: The Annals of Occupational Hygiene. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1475-3162 .- 0003-4878. ; 53:5, s. 539-47
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study clarifies whether the established frequency weighting procedure for evaluating exposure to hand-transmitted vibration can effectively evaluate the temporary changes in vibrotactile perception thresholds due to pre-exposure to vibration. In addition, this study investigates the relationship between changes of the vibrotactile perception thresholds and the normalized energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration. The fingers of 10 healthy subjects, five male and five female, were exposed to vibration under 16 conditions with a combination of different frequencies, intensities, and exposure times. The vibration frequencies were 31.5 and 125 Hz and exposure lasted between 2 and 16 min. According to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 5349-1, the energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration for the experimental time of 16 min is 2.5 or 5.0 m s(-2) root-mean-square, corresponding to a 8-h equivalent acceleration, A(8), of approximately 0.5 and 0.9 m s(-2), respectively. A measure of the vibrotactile perception thresholds was conducted before the different exposures to vibration. Immediately after the vibration exposure, the acute effect was measured continuously on the exposed index finger for the first 75 s, followed by 30 s of measures every minute for a maximum of 10 min. If the subject's thresholds had not recovered, the measures continued for a maximum of 30 min with measurements taken every 5 min. Pre-exposure to vibration significantly influenced vibrotactile thresholds. This study concludes that the influence on the thresholds depends on the frequency of the vibration stimuli. Increased equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration resulted in a significant change in threshold, but the thresholds were unaffected when changes in the vibration magnitude were expressed as the frequency-weighted acceleration or the unweighted acceleration. Moreover, the frequency of the pre-vibration exposure significantly influenced (up to 25 min after exposure) recovery time of the vibrotactile thresholds. This study shows that the frequency weighting procedure in ISO 5349-1 is unable to predict the produced acute changes in the vibrotactile perception. Moreover, the results imply that the calculation of the 'energy-equivalent' frequency-weighted acceleration does not reflect the acute changes of the vibration perception thresholds due to pre-exposure to vibration. Furthermore, when testing for the vibrotactile thresholds, exposure to vibration on the day of a test might influence the results. Until further knowledge is obtained, the previous practice of 3 h avoidance of vibration exposure before assessment is recommended.
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13. |
- Carlsson, Daniel, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Can sensation of cold hands predict Raynaud's phenomenon or paraesthesia?
- 2018
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Ingår i: Occupational Medicine. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0962-7480 .- 1471-8405. ; 68:5, s. 314-319
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Raynaud's phenomenon and neurosensory symptoms are common after hand-arm vibration exposure. Knowledge of early signs of vibration injuries is needed. Aims To investigate the risk of developing Raynaud's phenomenon and paraesthesia in relation to sensation of cold hands in a cohort of male employees at an engineering plant. Methods We followed a cohort of male manual and office workers at an engineering plant in Sweden for 21 years. At baseline (1987 and 1992) and each follow-up (1992, 1997, 2002, 2008), we assessed sensation of cold, Raynaud's phenomenon and paraesthesia in the hands using questionnaires and measured vibration exposure. We calculated risk estimates with univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses and adjusted for vibration exposure and tobacco usage. Results There were 241 study participants. During the study period, 21 individuals developed Raynaud's phenomenon and 43 developed paraesthesia. When adjusting the risk of developing Raynaud's phenomenon for vibration exposure and tobacco use, the odds ratios were between 6.0 and 6.3 (95% CI 2.2-17.0). We observed no increased risk for paraesthesia in relation to a sensation of cold hands. Conclusions A sensation of cold hands was a risk factor for Raynaud's phenomenon. At the individual level, reporting a sensation of cold hands did not appear to be useful information to predict future development of Raynaud's phenomenon given a weak to moderate predictive value. For paraesthesia, the sensation of cold was not a risk factor and there was no predictive value at the individual level.
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14. |
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15. |
- Cherniack, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Syndromes from segmental vibration and nerve entrapment : observations on case definitions for carpal tunnel syndrome
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - Berlin : Springer-Vlg. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 81:5, s. 661-669
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to assess the overlap and stability of two different case definitions of carpal tunnel syndrome CTS. The analysis considers the association between different case definitions and objective tests (sensory nerve conduction velocities, SNCVs and vibrotactile perception thresholds, TTS), and the natural history of CTS, in the context of two vibration-exposed cohorts. Methods: Clinical CTS cases were defined in two ways: (1) by the study physician using fixed criteria, and; (2) by questionnaire and hand diagram. SNCV in median and ulnar nerves was measured for digital, transpalmar, and transcarpal segments, and conventionally as from wrist-digit. Skin temperature was assessed as a point measurement by thermistor and regionally by thermal imaging. VTTs were determined at the bilateral fingertips of the third and fifth digits using a tactometer meeting the requirements of ISO 13091-1 (ISO 2001). The subjects were cohorts of shipyard workers in 2001 and 2004, and dental hygienists in 2002 and 2004. Results: Results are reported for 214 shipyard workers in 2001 and 135 in 2004, and for 94 dental hygienists in 2002 and 66 in 2004. In 2001, 50% of shipyard workers were diagnosed as CTS cases by at least one of the diagnostic schemes, but only 20% were positive by both criteria. Among study physician diagnosed cases, 64% were CTS negative in 2001, 76% were negative in 2004, 13% were positive in both years, 22% became negative after being positive, and 11% became positive after being negative. For only study physician diagnosed CTS did VTTs differ between cases differ and non-cases in digit 3; there was no such distinction in digit 5. The dental hygienists had little CTS. Conclusion: Clinical case definitions of CTS based on diagrams and self-assessment, and clinical evaluation have limited overlap. Combining clinical criteria to create a more narrow or specific case definition of CTS does not appear to predict SNCV. The natural history of CTS suggests a protean disorder with considerable flux in case status over time.
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16. |
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17. |
- Edlund, Maria, 1972, et al.
(författare)
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A prospective cohort study investigating an exposure-response relationship among vibration-exposed male workers with numbness of the hands
- 2014
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 40:2, s. 203-209
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the exposure response relationship of hand-arm vibration (HAY) exposure to neurological symptoms (numbness) of the hand in a cohort of vibration-exposed workers. Methods The baseline cohort comprised 241 office and manual workers with and without exposure to HAY. Numbness (the symptom or event) in the hand was assessed for all subjects at baseline and follow-ups after 5, 10, and 16 years. The workers were stratified into quartiles with no exposure in the first quartile and increasing intensity of exposure in quartiles 2-4 (groups 1-3). Data analysis was performed using survival analysis (time-to-event). Information on cumulative exposure and years of exposure to event was collected via questionnaires. Measurements were performed in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 5349-1. Results The hazard ratio (HR) of risk of event (numbness) differed statistically significantly between the non-exposed group (group 0) and the two higher exposure groups (groups 2 and 3). There was also a significant ratio difference between the lowest exposure group (group 1) and the two higher groups. The ratio for group 1 was 1.77 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.96-3.26] compared with 3.78 (95% CI 2.15-6.62) and 5.31(95% CI 3.06-9.20) for groups 2 and 3, respectively. Conclusion The results suggest a dose response relationship between vibration exposure and numbness of the hands. This underlines the importance of keeping vibration levels low to prevent neurological injury to the hands.
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18. |
- Edlund, Maria, 1972, et al.
(författare)
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Quantitatively measured tremor in hand-arm vibration-exposed workers
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 88:3, s. 305-310
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible increase in hand tremor in relation to hand-arm vibration (HAV) exposure in a cohort of exposed and unexposed workers. Participants were 178 male workers with or without exposure to HAV. The study is cross-sectional regarding the outcome of tremor and has a longitudinal design with respect to exposure. The dose of HAV exposure was collected via questionnaires and measurements at several follow-ups. The CATSYS Tremor Pen(A (R)) was used for measuring postural tremor. Multiple linear regression methods were used to analyze associations between different tremor variables and HAV exposure, along with predictor variables with biological relevance. There were no statistically significant associations between the different tremor variables and cumulative HAV or current exposure. Age was a statistically significant predictor of variation in tremor outcomes for three of the four tremor variables, whereas nicotine use was a statistically significant predictor of either left or right hand or both hands for all four tremor variables. In the present study, there was no evidence of an exposure-response association between HAV exposure and measured postural tremor. Increase in age and nicotine use appeared to be the strongest predictors of tremor.
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19. |
- Eklöf, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Workplace intervention for improved risk perception and preventive activity among workers : using hand-held vibrating machines: a pilot study
- 2023
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This article presents a pilot study of a 1-h workplace educational intervention implemented among ten construction workers who were highly exposed to hand–arm vibration. The intervention combined risk communication and normative expert advice intended to reinforce preventive behaviour related to vibration, noise, and biomechanical loads. Data for this study comprised intervention notes and interview data from interventionists, and pre- and post-intervention interview data from participating workers.The results suggested that the intervention was sensitive to disturbances and should be directed only to motivated workers possessing sufficient self-efficacy, and only in circumstances in which exposure may be controlled on the local workplace level and by locally implemented measures. Unless these conditions are present, the studied intervention may fail to influence preventive behaviour, and may instead cause cognitive dissonance and frustration among participants and interventionists.
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20. |
- Figueroa Karlström, Eduardo, et al.
(författare)
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Therapeutic staff exposure to magnetic field pulses during TMS/rTMS treatments
- 2006
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Ingår i: Bioelectromagnetics. - Hoboken : John Wiley & Sons. - 0197-8462 .- 1521-186X. ; 27:2, s. 156-158
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS/rTMS) is currently being used in treatments of the central nervous system diseases, for instance, depressive states. The principles of localized magnetic stimulation are summarized and the risk and level of occupational field exposure of the therapeutic staff is analyzed with reference to lCNIRP guidelines for pulses below 100 kHz. Measurements and analysis of the occupational exposure to magnetic fields of the staff working with TMS/rTMS are presented.
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21. |
- Fredrik, Öhberg, et al.
(författare)
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Gait analysis using a portable motion sensor system : measurements in subjects with hip implant as compared with healthy controls
- 2013
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Ingår i: Gait & Posture. - : Elsevier BV. - 0966-6362 .- 1879-2219. ; 38:suppl 1, s. 99-100
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: There is an increase of age related diseases such as hip joint arthritis, something that is often treated with hip replacement surgery. The aim of this study was to quantify movement function and its effect on quality of life in persons treated with hip implant, in comparison to matched asymptomatic controls.Patients/Materials and Methods: This is an ongoing study, and so far, 2 asymptomatic subjects (CTRL, age 50 ± 13 years, BMI 23 ± 2), and 4 subjects with hip implant (HIP, age 51 ± 15 years, BMI 25 ± 3), have been analyzed. The HIP group received their implant 2.6 ± 1.1 years ago and finished their rehabilitation 1.6 ± 1.1 years ago. Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) was used to assess the subject's hip function and its associated problems. A functional calibration (flexion/abduction movements) was done and each subject then performed 5 repetitions of gait (approx. 25 left/right gait cycles). Movement was registered with a custom-developed portable motion sensor system, where each sensor consisted of a tri-axial accelerometer and gyroscope. Sensors were placed on pelvis and each thigh and shank. Further calculations were done in MATLAB (v7.12 R2011a, Mathworks). Cosine rotation matrices were extracted by functional sensor-to- segment-calibration and sensor fusion [1], and hip and knee angles were obtained as Euler angles.Results: Preliminary results indicated larger range in hip rotation and smaller range of knee flexion during gait in HIP group than in the CTRL group (Fig. 1). HOOS profile (Fig. 2) indicated that hip function during sports (SP) and the general quality of life (QOL) were lower in the HIP group.Fig. 1. Mean and SD of hip and knee angle over 15 gait cycles in one HIP subject (blue) as compared with the CTRL group (black). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)Figure optionsFig. 2. HOOS profiles in HIP (blue square) and CTRL group (black). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)Figure optionsDiscussion and conclusions: Motion patterns during gait seemed to be negatively affected in subjects with hip implant, even after the rehabilitation program was completed and even though the HOOS profiles indicated a relative good hip function.Reference[1]J. Favre, B.M. Jolles, O. Siegrist, K. AminianQuaternion-based fusion of gyroscopes and accelerometers to improve 3D angle measurement
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23. |
- Gerhardsson, Lars, 1952, et al.
(författare)
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Quantitative neurosensory findings, symptoms and signs in young vibration exposed workers.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1745-6673. ; 8:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract Background: Long-term exposure to hand-held vibrating tools may cause the hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) including vibration induced white fingers and sensorineural symptoms. The aim was to study early neurosensory effects by quantitative vibrotactile and monofilament tests in young workers with hand-held vibration exposure. Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 142 young, male machine shop and construction workers with hand-held exposure to vibrating tools. They were compared with 41 non-vibration exposed subjects of the same age-group. All participants passed a structured interview, answered several questionnaires and had a physical examination including the determination of vibrotactile perception thresholds (VPTs) at two frequencies (31.5 and 125 Hz) and Semmes Weinstein ’ s Monofilament test. Results: In the vibration exposed group 8% of the workers reported episodes of tingling sensations and 10% numbness in their fingers. Approximately 5 – 10% of the exposed population displayed abnormal results on monofilament tests. The vibrotactile testing showed significantly increased VPTs for 125 Hz in dig II bilaterally (right hand, p = 0.01; left hand, p = 0.024) in the vibration exposed group. A multiple regression analysis (VPT - dependent variable; age, height, examiner and five different vibration dose calculations – predictor variables) in dig II bilaterally showed rather low R 2 -values. None of the explanatory variables including five separately calculated vibration doses were included in the models, neither for the total vibration exposed group, nor for the highest exposed quartile. A logistic multiple regression analysis (result of monofilament testing - dependent variable; age, height, examiner and five vibration dose calculations – predictor variables) of the results of monofilament testing in dig II bilaterally gave a similar outcome. None of the independent variables including five calculated vibration doses were included in the models neither for the total exposed group nor for the highest exposed quartile. Conclusion: In spite of the fairly short vibration exposure, a tendency to raised VPTs as well as pathologic monofilament test results was observed. Thus, early neurophysiologic symptoms and signs of vibration exposure may appear after short-term exposure also in young workers.
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24. |
- Grip, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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Does the Femoral Head Size in Hip Arthroplasty Influence Lower Body Movements during Squats, Gait and Stair Walking? : A Clinical Pilot Study Based on Wearable Motion Sensors
- 2019
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Ingår i: Sensors. - : MDPI. - 1424-8220. ; 19:14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A hip prosthesis design with larger femoral head size may improve functional outcomes compared to the conventional total hip arthroplasty (THA) design. Our aim was to compare the range of motion (RoM) in lower body joints during squats, gait and stair walking using a wearable movement analysis system based on inertial measurement units (IMUs) in three age-matched male groups: 6 males with a conventional THA (THAC), 9 with a large femoral head (LFH) design, and 8 hip- and knee-asymptomatic controls (CTRL). We hypothesized that the LFH design would allow a greater hip RoM, providing movement patterns more like CTRL, and a larger side difference in hip RoM in THAC when compared to LFH and controls. IMUs were attached to the pelvis, thighs and shanks during five trials of squats, gait, and stair ascending/descending performed at self-selected speed. THAC and LFH participants completed the Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS). The results showed a larger hip RoM during squats in LFH compared to THAC. Side differences in LFH and THAC groups (operated vs. non-operated side) indicated that movement function was not fully recovered in either group, further corroborated by non-maximal mean HOOS scores (LFH: 83 +/- 13, THAC: 84 +/- 19 groups, vs. normal function 100). The IMU system may have the potential to enhance clinical movement evaluations as an adjunct to clinical scales.
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25. |
- Hagberg, Mats, 1951, et al.
(författare)
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Incidence of Raynaud's phenomenon in relation to hand-arm vibration exposure among male workers at an engineering plant a cohort study.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1745-6673. ; 3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of Raynaud's phenomenon in relation to hand-arm vibration exposure in a cohort consisting of male office and manual workers. METHODS: The baseline population consisted of 94 office and 147 manual workers at an engineering plant. Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) was assessed at baseline and at follow up (at 5, 10 and 15 years). A retrospective and a prospective cohort analysis of data were done. Hand-arm vibration exposure dose was defined as the product of exposure duration and the weighted hand-arm vibration exposure value according to ISO 5349-1. RESULTS: The retrospective/prospective incidence of Raynaud's phenomenon was 16/14 per 1000 exposure years among exposed and 2.4/5.0 per 1000 years among the not exposed. The retrospective dose response curve based on 4 dose classes showed that class 2, 3 and 4 had similar response and showed higher incidence than the not-exposed. The dose with RP response to hand-arm vibration corresponded to a 10 year A(8) value between 0.4-1.0 m/s2. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the EU directive on an action value for hand-arm vibration of 2.5 m/s2 is not too low. Rather, it suggests that employers should take on actions even at exposure values of 1 m/s2A(8).
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26. |
- Hansson Mild, Kjell, et al.
(författare)
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Non-Ionizing Radiation in Swedish Health CareExposure and Safety Aspects
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 16:7
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The main aim of the study was to identify and describe methods using non-ionizing radiation (NIR) such as electromagnetic fields (EMF) and optical radiation in Swedish health care. By examining anticipated exposure levels and by identifying possible health hazards we also aimed to recognize knowledge gaps in the field. NIR is mainly used in health care for diagnosis and therapy. Three applications were identified where acute effects cannot be ruled out: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electrosurgery. When using optical radiation, such as class 3 and 4 lasers for therapy or surgical procedures and ultra-violet light for therapy, acute effects such as unintentional burns, photo reactions, erythema and effects on the eyes need to be avoided. There is a need for more knowledge regarding long-term effects of MRI as well as on the combination of different NIR exposures. Based on literature and after consulting staff we conclude that the health care professionals' knowledge about the risks and safety measures should be improved and that there is a need for clear, evidence-based information from reliable sources, and it should be obvious to the user which source to address.
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27. |
- Hedlund, Mattias, 1968-
(författare)
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Biomechanical and neural aspects of eccentric and concentric muscle performance in stroke subjects : Implications for resistance training
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Muscle weakness is one of the major causes of post-stroke disability. Stroke rehabilitation programs now often incorporate the same type of resistance training that is used for healthy subjects; however, the training effects induced from these training strategies are often limited for stroke patients. An important resistance training principle is that an optimal level of stress is exerted on the neuromuscular system, both during concentric (shortening) and eccentric (lengthening) contractions. One potential problem for post-stroke patients might be difficulties achieving sufficient levels of stress on the neuromuscular system. This problem may be associated with altered muscular function after stroke. In healthy subjects, maximum strength during eccentric contractions is higher than during concentric contractions. In individuals with stroke, this difference in strength is often increased. Moreover, it has also been shown that individuals with stroke exhibit alteration with respect to how the strength varies throughout the range of motion. For example, healthy subjects exhibit a joint specific torque-angle relationship that normally is the same irrespective of contraction mode and contraction velocity. In contrast, individuals with stroke exhibit an overall change of the torque-angle relationship. This change, as described in the literature, consists of a more pronounced strength loss at short muscle length. In individuals with stroke, torque-angle relationships are only partially investigated and so far these relationships have not been analysed using testing protocols that include eccentric, isometric, and concentric modes of contraction. This thesis investigates the torque-angle relationship of elbow flexors in subjects with stroke during all three modes of contractions – isometric, concentric, and eccentric – and the relative loading throughout the range of movement during a resistance exercise. In addition, this thesis studies possible central nervous system mechanisms involved in the control of muscle activation during eccentric and concentric contractions. The torque-angle relationship during maximum voluntary elbow flexion was examined in stroke subjects (n=11), age-matched healthy subjects (n=11), and young subjects (n=11) during different contraction modes and velocities. In stroke subjects, maximum torque as well as the torque angle relationship was better preserved during eccentric contractions compared to concentric contractions. Furthermore, the relative loading during a resistance exercise at an intensity of 10RM (repetition maximum) was examined. Relative loading throughout the concentric phase of the resistance exercise, expressed as percentage of concentric torque, was found to be similar in all groups. However, relative loading during the eccentric contraction phase, expressed as the percentage of eccentric isokinetic torque, was significantly lower for the stroke group. In addition, when related to isometric maximum voluntary contraction, the loading for the stroke group was significantly lower than for the control groups during both the concentric and eccentric contraction phases.Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine differences between recruited brain regions during the concentric and the eccentric phase of imagined maximum resistance exercise of the elbow flexors (motor imagery) in young healthy subjects (n=18) and in a selected sample of individuals with stroke (n=4). The motor and premotor cortex was less activated during imagined maximum eccentric contractions compared to imagined maximum concentric contraction of elbow flexors. Moreover, BA44 in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain area that has been shown to be involved in inhibitory control of motor activity, was additionally recruited during eccentric compared to concentric conditions. This pattern was evident only on the contralesional (the intact hemisphere) in some of the stroke subjects. On the ipsilesional hemisphere, the recruitment in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex was similar for both modes of contractions. Compared to healthy subjects, the stroke subjects exhibited altered muscular function comprising a specific reduction of torque producing capacity and deviant torque-angle relationship during concentric contractions. Therefore, the relative training load during the resistance exercise at a training intensity of 10RM was lower for subjects with stroke. Furthermore, neuroimaging data indicates that the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex may be involved in a mechanism that modulates cortical motor drive differently depending on mode of the contractions. This might partly be responsible for why it is impossible to fully activate a muscle during eccentric contractions. Moreover, among individuals with stroke, a disturbance of this system could also lie behind the lack of contraction mode-specific modulation of muscle activation that has been found in this population. The altered neuromuscular function evident after a stroke means that stroke victims may find it difficult to supply a sufficient level of stress during traditional resistance exercises to promote adaptation by the neuromuscular system. This insufficiency may partially explain why the increase in strength, in response to conventional resistance training, often has been found to be low among subjects with stroke.
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28. |
- Hedlund, Mattias, et al.
(författare)
-
Insufficient loading in stroke subjects during conventional resistance training
- 2012
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Ingår i: Advances in Physiotherapy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1403-8196 .- 1651-1948. ; 14:1, s. 18-28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Our objective was to assess the loading during a resistance-training task at a given training intensity in subjects with stroke and in healthy subjects. Subjects with stroke (n = 11) and two control groups (n = 11 in each) underwent strength measurements and a resistance-training task for elbow flexors. Torque and muscular activity obtained during the resistance-training task was related to values obtained during strength measurements. Even if relative loading throughout the concentric phase of the resistance-training task, expressed as percent of concentric isokinetic torque, was found to be similar among groups, we found indications of insufficient loading for the stroke group. Relative loading during the eccentric contraction phase, expressed as percent of eccentric isokinetic torque, was significantly lower for the stroke group. Also, when related to isometric maximum voluntary contraction, the loading was significantly lower for the stroke group, compared with the control groups, during the concentric and eccentric contraction phases. Furthermore, muscle activation during, as well as muscular fatigue after, the resistance-training task was somewhat lower for the stroke group. Hence, for subjects with stroke, the relative loading during resistance training, performed at a training intensity considered adequate for able-bodied, appears to be too low compared with the healthy controls. © 2012 Informa Healthcare.
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29. |
- Hedlund, Mattias, et al.
(författare)
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Is better preservation of eccentric strength after stroke due to altered prefrontal function?
- 2016
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Ingår i: Neurocase. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1355-4794 .- 1465-3656. ; 22:2, s. 229-242
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) is part of a network that exerts inhibitory control over the motor cortex (MC). Recently, we demonstrated that VLPFC was more activated during imagined maximum eccentric than during imagined concentric contractions in healthy participants. This was accompanied with lower activation levels within motor regions during imagined eccentric contractions. The aim was to test a novel hypothesis of an involvement of VLPFC in contraction mode-specific modulation of force. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine differences in VLPFC and motor regions during the concentric and the eccentric phases of imagined maximum contractions in a selected sample of subjects with stroke (n = 4). The subjects were included as they exhibited disturbed modulation of force. The previously demonstrated pattern within VLPFC was evident only on the contralesional hemisphere. On the ipsilesional hemisphere, the recruitment in VLPFC was similar for both modes of contractions. The findings support a hypothesis of the involvement of VLPFC in contraction mode-specific modulation of maximum force production. A disturbance of this system might underlie the lack of contraction mode-specific modulation commonly found among stroke subjects, often expressed as an increased ratio between eccentric and concentric strength.
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30. |
- Hedlund, Mattias, et al.
(författare)
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Torque-angle relationship are better preserved during eccentric compared to concentric contractions in patients with stroke
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Isokinetics and exercise science. - 0959-3020 .- 1878-5913. ; 20:2, s. 129-140
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to compare the effect of isokinetic contraction mode and velocity on the torque-angle relationship during maximum voluntary elbow flexion in patients with stroke, age-matched healthy subjects and young subjects. To eliminate the effect of torque amplitude differences between subjects and groups, the torque values throughout the ROM were individually normalized to the peak value for each contraction velocity. The results indicate that in stroke patients the normalized torque angle relationship during the eccentric contractions was better preserved than during concentric contractions. Specifically, during eccentric contractions, stroke patients exhibited a torque-angle relationship that was closer to normal as the test velocity increased. The opposite trend could be seen in concentric contractions where the torque-angle relationship became more divergent from normal with a rise in the velocity. The torque-angle relationships were essentially the same for the control groups, irrespective of contraction mode or velocity. These findings may have significance for loading patterns of resistance training exercises used with stroke patients as such exercises normally are biomechanically designed for normal torque angle relationships. In clinical practice, these findings may partly explain why the strength increases due to resistance training are limited for patients with stroke.
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31. |
- Holmlund, Patrik, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of vibration magnitude, vibration spectrum and muscle tension on apparent mass and cross axis transfer functions during whole-body vibration exposure
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of Biomechanics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0021-9290 .- 1873-2380. ; 39:16, s. 3062-3070
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Twelve seated male subjects were exposed to 15 vibration conditions to investigate the nature and mechanisms of the non-linearity in biomechanical response. Subjects were exposed to three groups of stimuli: Group A comprised three repeats of random vertical vibration at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m s-2 r.m.s. with subjects sitting in a relaxed upright posture. Group B used the same vibration stimuli as Group A, but with subjects sitting in a ‘tense' posture. Group C used vibration where the vibration spectrum was dominated by either low-frequency motion (2-7 Hz), high-frequency motion (7-20 Hz) or a 1.0 m s-2 r.m.s. sinusoid at the frequency of the second peak in apparent mass (about 10-14 Hz) added to 0.5 m s-2 r.m.s. random vibration. In the relaxed posture, frequencies of the primary peak in apparent mass decreased with increased vibration magnitude. In the tense posture, the extent of the non-linearity was reduced. For the low-frequency dominated stimulus, the primary peak frequency was lower than that for the high-frequency dominated stimulus indicating that the frequency of the primary peak in the apparent mass is dominated by the magnitude of the vibration encompassing the peak. Cross-axis transfer functions showed peaks of about 15-20% and 5% of the magnitudes of the peaks in the apparent mass for x- and y-direction transfer functions, respectively, in the relaxed posture. In the tense posture, cross-axis transfer functions reduced in magnitude with increased vibration, likely indicating a reduced fore-aft pitching of the body with increased tension, supporting the hypothesis that pitching contributes to the non-linearity in apparent mass.
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32. |
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33. |
- Karlsson, Björn-Markus, et al.
(författare)
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Sound and vibration : effects on infants' heart rate and heart rate variability during neonatal transport
- 2012
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Ingår i: Acta Paediatrica. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 101:2, s. 148-154
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: To measure the effect of sound and whole-body vibration on infants' heart rate and heart rate variability during ground and air ambulance transport.Methods: Sixteen infants were transported by air ambulance with ground ambulance transport to and from the airports. Whole-body vibration and sound levels were recorded and heart parameters were obtained by ECG signal.Results: Sound and whole-body vibration levels exceeded the recommended limits. Mean whole-body vibration and sound levels were 0.19m/s(2) and 73dBA, respectively. Higher whole-body vibration was associated with a lower heart rate (p<0.05), and higher sound level was linked to a higher heart rate (p=0.05). The heart rate variability was significantly higher at the end of the transport than at the beginning (p<0.01). Poorer physiologic status was associated with lower heart rate variability (p<0.001) and a lower heart rate (p<0.01). Infants wearing earmuffs had a lower heart rate (p<0.05).Conclusions: Sound and whole-body vibration during neonatal transport exceed recommended levels for adults and sound seem to have a more stressful effect on the infant than vibrations. Infants should wear earmuffs during neonatal transport because of the stress reducing effect.
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34. |
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35. |
- Körning-Ljungberg, Jessica, et al.
(författare)
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Effects on spatial skills after exposure to low frequency noise
- 2004
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Ingår i: Journal of Low Frequency Noise Vibration and Active Control. - : SAGE Publications. - 0263-0923 .- 1461-3484 .- 2048-4046. ; 23:1, s. 1-6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A study of spatial skills was conducted with 27 male and 27 female participants. The aim of the study was to examine the post-exposure effect of a complex low frequency noise (21 Hz) on a mental rotation task. It was hypothesised that reaction time and number of errors would increase after 20 minutes exposure to noise exposure compared to performance after a control condition, and that groups exposed to higher intensity noise would exhibit greater impairment. Three groups of participants were exposed to a control condition and a noise condition (either, 77, 81 or 86 dB (A)). After each exposure, subjects completed a mental rotation task where the stimulus consisted of one of three letters presented in five different rotations, showed either normally or mirrored. The participants were asked to respond as quickly and accurately as possible, affirmatively if the letter presented was not mirrored and negatively if it was mirrored. Statistical analysis revealed that the medium intensity level generated significant post-exposure effects while no effects were seen at the low or high intensity levels
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36. |
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37. |
- Körning-Ljungberg, Jessica, et al.
(författare)
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Effects on spatial skills after exposure to low frequency noise
- 2002
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 46th annual meeting - Bridging fundamentals & new opportunities : Baltimore, Maryland, September 30 - October 4, 2002. - : Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- A study of spatial skills was conducted with 27 male and 27 female participants. The aim of the study was to examine the post-exposure effect of a complex low frequency noise (21 Hz) on a mental rotation task. It was hypothesised that reaction time and number of errors would increase after 20 minutes exposure to noise, and that persons exposed to more intense noise would exhibit greater impairment. Three groups of participants were exposed to a quiet control condition and a noise condition (either 77, 81 or 86 dB(A)). After each exposure, subjects completed a mental rotation task where the stimulus consisted of one of three letters presented in five different rotations, shown either normally or mirrored. The participants were asked to respond as quickly and accurately as possible, affirmatively if the letter presented was not mirrored and negatively if mirrored. Statistical analysis revealed that the medium intensity level generated post-exposure effects when comparing noise and a quiet condition.
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38. |
- Körning-Ljungberg, Jessica
(författare)
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Psychological responses to noise and vibration
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Vehicle drivers are a group of workers that are exposed to noise and whole-body vibration (WBV) several hours a day. Some drivers may also be exposed to high mental loads – monitoring and manipulating physical controls while engaging problem solving activities often with strong short-term memory and spatial manipulation components. Present standards and regulations that govern health risk assessment do not take into consideration the complexities of these multiple exposure environments. The effect of one factor (for example, noise or WBV) may be different than the effect of two factors presented together. This thesis investigates whether the combination of noise and WBV affects the performance of cognitive tasks more than when the exposures are presented separately. A series of studies were designed to expose subjects to noise and WBV stimuli designed to simulate real life working conditions. Different combinations of subjective ratings, cognitive tests, and cortisol measurements were conducted both during and immediately after exposures, which ranged from 20 to 45 minutes. The studies have shown that a combination of noise and WBV do not degrade cognitive performance more than a single stimulus. However, WBV can degrade attention performance after exposure is turned off when drivers have been working under high mental load during exposure. The combined stimuli are also experienced as more annoying and work is more difficult in such conditions. The exposure times and task difficulty levels used in this thesis did not produce biological stress as measured by cortisol. Nevertheless, subjective ratings are sometimes seen as early indicators of other symptoms and with increased task difficulty and/or longer exposure times there may appear other measurable outcomes of the combined stimuli.
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39. |
- Liljelind, Ingrid, et al.
(författare)
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Determinants Explaining the Variability of Hand-Transmitted Vibration Emissions From Two Different Work Tasks : Grinding and Cutting Using Angle Grinders
- 2013
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Ingår i: Annals of Occupational Hygiene. - : Oxford University Press. - 0003-4878 .- 1475-3162. ; 57:8, s. 1065-1077
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There are numerous factors including physical, biomechanical, and individual that influence exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) and cause variability in the exposure measurements. Knowledge of exposure variability and determinants of exposure could be used to improve working conditions. We performed a quasi-experimental study, where operators performed routine work tasks in order to obtain estimates of the variance components and to evaluate the effect of determinants, such as machine–wheel combinations and individual operator characteristics.Methods: Two pre-defined simulated work tasks were performed by 11 operators: removal of a weld puddle of mild steel and cutting of a square steel pipe. In both tasks, four angle grinders were used, two running on compressed air and two electrically driven. Two brands of both grinding and cutting wheels were used. Each operator performed both tasks twice in a random order with each grinder and wheel and the time to complete each task was recorded. Vibration emission values were collected and the wheel wear was measured as loss of weight. Operators’ characteristics collected were as follows: age, body height and weight, length and volume of their hands, maximum hand grip force, and length of work experience with grinding machines (years). The tasks were also performed by one operator who used four machines of the same brand. Mixed and random effects models were used in the statistical evaluation.Results: The statistical evaluation was performed for grinding and cutting separately and we used a measure referring to the sum of the 1-s r.m.s. average frequency-weighted acceleration over time for completing the work task (a sa). Within each work task, there was a significant effect as a result of the determinants ‘the machine used’, ‘wheel wear’, and ‘time taken to complete the task’. For cutting, ‘the brand of wheel’ used also had a significant effect. More than 90% of the inherent variability in the data was explained by the determinants. The two electrically powered machines had a mean a sa that was 2.6 times higher than the two air-driven machines. For cutting, the effect of the brand of wheel on a sa was ~0.1 times. The a sa increased both with increasing wheel wear and with time taken to complete the work task. However, there were also a number of interaction effects which, to a minor extent, modified the a sa. Only a minor part (1%) of the total variability was attributed to the operator: for cutting, the volume of the hands, maximum grip force, and body weight were significant, while for grinding, it was the maximum grip force. There was no clear difference in a sa between the four copies of the same brand of each machine.Conclusions: By including determinants that were attributed to the brand of both machine and wheel used as well as the time taken to complete the work task, we were able to explain >90% of the variability. The dominating determinant was the brand of the machine. Little variability was found between operators, indicating that the overall effect as due to the operator was small.
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40. |
- Lindahl, Olof A, et al.
(författare)
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Biomedical engineering research improves the health care industry
- 2014
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Ingår i: XIII Mediterranean Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing 2013. - Cham : Springer. - 9783319008455 - 9783319008462 ; , s. 1124-1126
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The health care industry is dependent on new innovations for its survival and expansion. Health care innovations are also important for improving patient care. Through activities at the centre for biomedical engineering and physics (CMTF) we have generated growth both in academia at the universities and in the industry in northern Sweden. Fruitful cooperation was generated between 26 research projects and about 15 established companies in the field of biomedical engineering. The established researcher-owned company for business development of the research results from the CMTF, CMTF Business Development Co Ltd, has so far launched three spin-off companies and has 10 new business leads to develop. The activities have also increased the interest for commercialization and entrepreneurship among the scientists in the centre. So far a total of nine spin-off companies have resulted from the CMTF-research since the year 2000 that has improved the health care market in northern Sweden. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.
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41. |
- Lindahl, Olof, et al.
(författare)
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A triple-helix model for refining biomedical engineering research into innovations and spin-off companies
- 2012
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Ingår i: Medicinteknikdagarna 2012.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Triple-Helix activities within the center for biomedical engineering and physics (CMTF) have generated growth in academic research as well as industry in Northern Sweden in the field of biomedical engineering. Currently CMTF holds 26 ongoing research projects involving more than 150 researchers. So far a total of eight spin-off companies have resulted from research in CMTF since the year 2000. A researcher-owned company, CMTF Business Development Co Ltd, has been established for business development of the research results from the CMTF, which so far have launched two spin-off companies and 15 new business leads for business development. The activities have also increased the interest for innovations and entrepreneurship among the scientists in the center.
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42. |
- Lindahl, Olof, et al.
(författare)
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A Triple-Helix model for refining biomedical engineering research into spin-off companies for the health care market
- 2013
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Ingår i: World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering May 26-31, 2012, Beijing, China. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer. - 9783642293047 - 9783642293054 ; , s. 2088-2090
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Triple-Helix activities at the centre for biomedical engineering and physics (CMTF) have generated growth both in academia at the universities and in the industry in Northern Sweden. Cooperation was built up between the 26 research projects and about 15 established companies in the field of biomedical engineering. The established researcher - owned company for business development of the research results from the CMTF, CMTF Business Development Co Ltd, has so far launched one spin-off company and has 15 new business leads to business develop. The activities have also increased the interest for commercial and entrepreneurship questions among the scientists in the centre. So far a total of seven spin-off companies have resulted from the CMTF-research since the year 2000.
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43. |
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44. |
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45. |
- Lindahl, Olof, et al.
(författare)
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From biomedical research to spin-off companies for the health care market
- 2010
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Ingår i: The XII Mediterranean Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer. ; , s. 624-626, s. 624-626
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Through research at the centre for biomedical engineering and physics (CMTF) seven new companies have been established in Northern Sweden. The activities have generated growth both in academia at the universities and in the industry in Northern Sweden. Cooperation was built up between the 23 research projects and more than 20 established companies in the field of biomedical engineering. A researcher-owned company for business development of the research results from the CMTF has been established, CMTF Business Development Co Ltd, and has launched its first spin-off company in the autumn 2009. It has also increased the interest for commercial and entrepreneurship questions among the scientists in the centre. So far seven spin-off companies have resulted from the CMTF-research.
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46. |
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47. |
- Lindell, Hans, et al.
(författare)
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Nancy Workshop 2023 on Hand-Transmitted Shock and High-Frequency Vibration
- 2023
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Ingår i: Proceedings. - 2504-3900. ; 86:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Since its initial publication in 1986, ISO 5439 has been unclear on the evaluation of isolated and repeated shock vibration. In 2015, an expert’s workshop was held in conjunction with the 13th International Conference that identified features of a vibration signal that may be important for predicting health outcomes, including high-frequency vibration and shock. Since then, ISO standards have been drafted on the measurement of shock and measurement of high-frequency vibrations, and in the European Union, a proposed revision of machinery supply legislation will require manufacturers to provide information on the average peak amplitude of acceleration. The Nancy Workshop introduced the issue of hand-transmitted (mechanical) shock (HTS) and work currently active within International Standards groups, and discussed options for defining HTS measurement. The workshop concluded that HTS is likely to present different risks to those of continuous hand–arm vibration, and that, therefore, there is a need for different metrics, and that high-frequency vibration is an important component of many HTS sources, e.g., impact wrenches, nail guns, riveting hammers, etc.; therefore, HTS evaluation should include higher frequencies of vibration, possibly up to 10 kHz.
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48. |
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49. |
- Lundström, Ronnie, 1951-, et al.
(författare)
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Exposure-response relationship between hand-arm vibration and vibrotactile perception sensitivity
- 1999
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Ingår i: American Journal of Industrial Medicine. - 0271-3586 .- 1097-0274. ; 35:5, s. 456-464
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The objectives of the study were to examine whether occupational use of vibrating hand-held tools was associated with an impaired vibrotactile perception, whether any exposure-response relationship exists, and whether the different populations of mechanoreceptive afferent units are equally affected. Methods Vibrotactile perception thresholds have been measured at seven frequencies (8–500 Hz) and evaluated among 125 vibration-exposed and 45 non-exposed male employees in a heavy engineering production workshop. Vibration exposure measurements were assessed on tools in accordance with ISO 5349. Vibrotactile perception thresholds have been individually graded in stages and placed in relation to individual vibration exposure. Results The outcome did not reveal a clear relationship between vibration exposure and reduced vibrotactile sensitivity on an individual basis. There was a clear tendency on a group basis towards elevated thresholds when the study population was divided into three exposure categories. A fourfold increase in relative risk of reduced vibrotactile sensitivity for test frequencies above 40 Hz was observed between the highest exposure category compared to the non-exposed. Conclusions It was concluded that reduced tactile sensitivity is related to the degree of vibration exposure but it is not at present possible to delineate an exposure-response relationship.
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50. |
- Lundström, Ronnie, et al.
(författare)
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Grading of sensorineural disturbances according to a modified Stockholm workshop scale using self-reports and QST.
- 2008
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Ingår i: International archives of occupational and environmental health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 81:5, s. 553-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to apply, on a group of vibration exposed individuals, a proposed modification of the Stockholm Workshop scale for grading of sensorineural disorders by using self-reports and data from objective testing and to compare grading obtained through the two approaches. METHODS: The study group consisted of 126 young persons with different individual levels of hand-transmitted vibration exposures. Effect measurements included a self-administered questionnaire and vibrotactile perception measurements and Purdue Pegboard testing. For grading using self reports three specific questions, believed to be good markers for complaints of intermittent numbness, sensory deficiency, and reduced performance in fine motor tasks, was picked out from the questionnaire. Results from vibrotactile perception and Purdue Pegboard testing were used for grading based on quantitative sensory testing. The sensorineural grading obtained by the two methods was then compared. RESULTS: The outcome showed that about 60% of all individuals within the study group are graded equally by the two methods for grading. The frequency of individuals graded at advanced SN stages were however higher when using QST, predominantly due to more positive cases for the Purdue pegboard test compared with the corresponding outcome from the self reports. CONCLUSION: The proposed modification of the grading scale reduces the in-built progressiveness and allows different combinations of sensorineural symptoms. The two grading methods seem to be somewhat correlated, something which may be considered as encouraging and promising for those who prefer to use, or must use one of the methods for grading. The proposed model for grading using self-reports should, however, be considered more as a conceptual idea for how this may be done. The models should be applied on a larger, more vibration exposed and more symptomatic study group, compared with the present study group, before any far-reaching conclusions can be drawn.
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