Quantitative vibration perception thresholds in healthy subjects of working age. 1986

P Halonen

Quantitative determinations were made of vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) at six different measurement sites in 202 healthy subjects of working age (16-68 years). Measurements were made with a commercially available device, the frequency of vibrations being 100 Hz. The temperature of the skin at the measurement sites was also determined. The effect of temperature on VPT values was evaluated separately in eight test subjects. In addition, determinations were made of intraindividual variations in VPT values and it was found that there was an almost 100% variation under identical conditions. Variation in VPTs caused by temperature was only slightly greater than intraindividual variation from day to day. It did not seem to be necessary, for the making of measurements, to take into account variations of temperature within physiological limits. VPT was found to increase exponentially with age, more steeply among men than women. In practice, it is most important when making VPT measurements to take into account the age and sex of the subject and possibly also to allow for thresholds slightly higher than usual with subjects engaged in physical work. An important field of application for this method is in occupational health services, where there is a need for a simple and reliable screening test when attempting to diagnose polyneuropathy. The method is also very suitable for determining the neurotoxic effect of different drugs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009790 Occupations Crafts, trades, professions, or other means of earning a living. Vocations,Occupation,Vocation
D010465 Perception The process by which the nature and meaning of sensory stimuli are recognized and interpreted. Sensory Processing,Processing, Sensory
D001827 Body Height The distance from the sole to the crown of the head with body standing on a flat surface and fully extended. Body Heights,Height, Body,Heights, Body
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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