Abstract
Background
hand-arm vibration is one of the typical annoying physical factors. Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a disorder caused by vibrating working tools which vibrate hands beyond the threshold. Long-term HAVS may result in damage to blood vessels, chronic numbness in the fingers, bone injury, and muscular weakness. People are exposed to high-rate noise vibration in a variety of situations, including vessel employment and operating in tiny boats. Moreover, the extant study was conducted to examine manual function disability levels caused by Sailing Speed Vessels (SSV) vibration.
Methods
The extant study was quasi-experimental research in which, 52 male sailors in SSVs were chosen as the experimental group, and 27 office personnel were selected as the control group. The demographic factors questionnaire, DASH questionnaire, grip and pinch strength tests, the neurosensory exam, and the skill-dexterity test were all employed in this study. SPSS23 software was used to analyze the data.
Results
The findings suggested that the experimental group experienced greater vibration disorder symptoms than the control group. Because the experimental group had a higher score, the individuals experienced poorer circumstances in terms of arm, shoulder, and hand impairment as compared to the control group. The mean grip strength of hands and fingers in two hands of the experimental group was lower than the control group (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship among grip strengths of both experimental and control groups (P < 0.05). There was a reduction in skill and dexterity of both dominant and non-dominant hands of members in the experimental group. According to the statistical tests, there was no significant association between dominant (P = 0.001) skills and non-dominant (P = 0.010) hands in experimental and control groups. There was not also any significant relationship between skill and dexterity of both hands (P = 0.001) and the dominant hand tweezer test (P = 0.001) in two experimental and control groups. There was a statistically significant association between experimental and control groups in terms of assembly skill and dexterity (P = 0.482).
Conclusion
Individuals who are at risk of vibration experience less physical and sensory function. DASH score, grip strength, skill, and dexterity could predict the reduction in physical function disability.
Similar content being viewed by others
Background
The vibration occurs when the body is exposed to a vibrating surface [1]. The hand and arm are the most common areas exposed to such vibrating surfaces [2]. Vibration is caused by some tools, such as drills, cutting machines, milling machines, types of internal combustion engines, pneumatic tools, road, and marine vehicles, as well as machines with moving parts [3]. Vibrations generated by road and marine vehicles and machinery are a frequent source of physical danger in the workplace [3]. Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a condition induced by vibrating working instruments that exceed the threshold of vibration in the hands [4]. Around 25 million employees in Europe are exposed to workplace vibration, which may result in serious damage [5]. In the USA, 2 million workers are at risk of hand and arm vibration; of them, 50% experience HAVS [5]. Moreover, 72,000-144,000 HAVS cases were reported in Canada, 2017 [6].
The main vibration sources include variable and oscillating forces on the impeller, transfer forces from the axes induced by irregular eddy currents, change of dynamic pressure field around the body, the existence of rotating unbalanced parts, non-coaxial, erosion, and similar cases in machines (e.g., in sea vessels) [7, 8]. The mentioned vibrations may occur in the whole body of the vessel or some parts locally [8, 9].
These factors will have destructive effects on offshore users. Most of these effects in the long run will cause serious defects for floating users [10]. These include damage to the nervous and vascular systems and musculoskeletal disorders [11]. The complications caused by the vibration effect on the psychomotor functions are important in terms of safety and health, so they require further assessment and experiments [4]. Long and repetitive contact with relatively severe vibration on a surface with no rapid destructive effect can harm the health in some professions and jobs [12, 13]. Environmentally, vibration causes dysfunction by affecting the vision accuracy or focus when working with control tools and devices [14]. Such effects depend on the frequency and acceleration rate in the vibrating body [15]. In some jobs, especially those requiring accurate collaboration and balance between hands and eyes, skill and accuracy while exposure to average vibration can reduce speed [16]. Through central or environmental processes, severe vibration and oscillating motion of persons may reduce working efficiency or rate of fulfilling job [17]. Stressful, dull, and potentially hazardous oscillation and vibration may impair work performance [13, 18]. According to studies conducted on psychological tests, exposure to vibration may cause some neurosensory disorders, such as numbness, tingling, and fatigue [19, 20]. Moreover, other studies indicated that long exposure to vibration reduces hands strength, skill, and manual dexterity [20, 21].
Hands are one of the most vital extremities of humans help for physical change in the surrounding environment [15]. Regarding their complex and specific musculoskeletal systems, hands allow the person to do various activities and works [2]. Hand dexterity and hand strength (gripping items with palms and fingers) are two important hand actions [22]. The most essential parameters impacting hand function are grip strength and manual dexterity [23]. Force exertion is a physical activity, so excessive force is a physical activity that exceeds the tolerable physiological exertion [24,25,26]. Medically, the upper extremities’ experiment is done based on observation and subjective aspects although measurement of hands strength and skill provides the physician with quantitative and objective data of hand function [27]. Hands strength and skill are evaluated as a health index in many medical clinics [27, 28]; it is also one of the substantial parameters considered when recruiting applicants in some countries [29].
Vibration is regarded a profession that results in the assessment of the degree of job-related exposure to work, as one of the most significant physical damaging components of the work environment from a health viewpoint [2]. Exposure to the vibration of hands and arms is common among labor workers in the country’s industrial environments and is 10% exposed to vibration [30]. Vibration of the hands and arms over time can lead to neurological, vascular, and musculoskeletal disorders as symptoms of hand tremors [31]. Vibration measurement of the hand and arm is required to assess the risk of exposure to vibration and to determine the amount of radiation emitted in different machines [14].
Despite many studies conducted on the effects caused by vibration in vessels on the different aspects of human functioning, there is no considerable research on the effects of this factor on psychosomatic aspects of humans, such as skill, dexterity, and hands strength of boatmen. On the other hand, the results of this study can be used to expand psychosomatic factors of boatmen to improve their efficiency and productivity. Therefore, the objectives of this study:
-
1.
Measure the daily equivalent acceleration of vibration in SSVs.
-
2.
Determine skill and manual dexterity of Sailors.
-
3.
Determine grip and pinch strength of Sailors hands.
-
4.
Find the relationship between skill and dexterity of experimental and control groups.
-
5.
Find the relationship between grip and pinch strength of experimental and control groups.
Materials and methods
Sampling process
The extant study was quasi-experimental research conducted to examine manual disability among boatmen caused by exposure to vibration in 2020. The target population comprised sailors in SSVs who work in southern areas of Iran. 85 male sailors participated, but 79 participants presented their full information to the researchers. In this case, 52 sailor in SSVs were assigned to the experimental group, and 27 office personnel were selected as the control group. In terms of demographic variables, such as age, sex, and job experience, the control and experimental groups were matched. The control group, on the other hand, was not subjected to vessel vibration.
Implementation process
To reduce confounding circumstances, the data were gathered during the first working shift (morning) and participants were guaranteed that they had no mission before filling out the questionnaire. The effect of vibration on the participants was examined based on the following inclusion criteria: having at least 1 year of employment history, no injury in upper extremities, especially in hands and shoulders in recent months, physical and psychological health. The inclusion criteria were recorded as questions in the demographic questionnaire. Following ethical principles in human research, all participants signed the consent letter after receiving information about the research objectives. Moreover, the following steps were taken:
Step 1: measuring hand and arm vibration
Hand and arm vibration was measured using the 106SA Svantek vibration meter in three x, y, and z axes according to ISO5349 standard [32]. Vibration assessment was done by summing weighted acceleration obtained from combining three axes and following eq. [33]:
Equation 1 indicates the vibration acceleration result in which, ahwy, ahwx, and ahwz show effective acceleration in each axis. The following equation indicates 8-hour vibration acceleration in which T represents the total time of exposure (hr) and T0 shows the considered limited time (8 hr) [1].
Where ahw is Effective acceleration, T is Total exposure time and T0 is Standard exposure time (8 h).
The vibrations of the hand and arm were measured using finger sensors. The ship’s crew was permitted to grasp the wrist without any change in wrist position or grip force after configuring and managing the device’s connections and choosing the axle. The vibration was measured in three directions consecutively and in such a way that the working conditions in each of three measurements were uniform. The weather was sunny, and the sea was calm during the measurement. Hand and arm vibrations were measured for all participants, and finally the mean number was reported. The vessels were small and medium-speed vessels with a capacity of five to twenty people.
Step 2: examining demographic data, job and medical records
The questionnaire was adopted from the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) at the University of Southampton, UK, and the Occupational Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute at the University of Trieste, Italy to examine complications of exposure to hand and arm vibration [1]. This questionnaire included personal information, job records, exposure to vibration, vibration complications (arterial, neurosensory, and musculoskeletal), and medical records of the worker.
Step 3: assessment of hand and arm disabilities
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used to measure the disability level of individuals when exposed to hand and arm vibration [34]. This questionnaire inquires about the capacity to do particular tasks with the hands. Scores are assigned to respondents depending on their replies [35, 36]. According to the validity and reliability of this questionnaire in Iran, the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) of the DASH questionnaire were 0.74 and 0.90, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of this questionnaire was estimated to be 0.75 [1].
Step 4: measuring skill, dexterity, and tactile sensitivity
Purdue Pegboard A32020 Model with a reliability interval of 0.76-0.89 was used to measure skill and dexterity [1]. Purdue Pegboard has some holes used by the person to place the metal pieces and washers in respective holes. In this case, the skill and manual dexterity of a person is measured based on the spent time.
Purdue Pegboard includes three tests of the right hand (RH) (dominant hand), left hand (LH) (non-dominant hand), and both hands (BH). Purdue Pegboard consists of a board with 4 cups across the top and two vertical rows of 25 small holes down the center. There are 25 pins in each of the two cups, 40 washers in one cup, and 20 collars in the other. Participants in RH and LH tests must utilize their dominant (right) and non-dominant (left) hands to put more pins in the relevant row in fewer than 30 seconds. These subtests are graded on the total number of pins set by each hand in a certain amount of time.
In multiple BH test, participants use both hands simultaneously to place pins down respective rows within 30 seconds. The score of this subtest is measured according to a total number of pairs of pins within 30 seconds [37].
Eye-hand coordination was used to evaluate the standard, and the O’Connor Tweezer Dexterity test was used to control subtle motion. The latter test is used to measure skilled motions of arm and hand because it is a valid and reliable test of skill. This test comprises a board that contains 100 holes (10 rows with 10 holes each) and one cup of 100 pins. The participant’s dominant hand was requested to use a Tweezer to insert all 100 pins into holes in the quickest time possible. Only one route is scored for the amount of time it takes to place all pins in holes. To reduce the learning effect, each participant was permitted to finish 10 holes across the top of the board. The time (second) required for test completion converts the raw score to a scaled value (standard score in this study) [38].
A neurosensory test and Monofilament kit with a reliability interval of 0.60-0.99 was used to assess tactile sensitivity [1]. Monofilament kits with different numbers were placed on various parts of the hands to perform this test [39].
Step 5: measuring grip strength of fingers and hands
The grip strength of fingers was evaluated using a Pinch Gauge based on the force in kilograms imposed by the person that pressed the device key. The Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer was used to measure the maximum grip strength of the hands. In this test, the person puts his/her elbow with 90° degree on the flat surface and imposes the maximum force (in kilograms) by gripping the handle within 10-seconds intervals. Relevant studies have introduced Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer as a golden standard with relatively good and excellent reliability (ICC -0.92-0.90) that measures the grip strength of hands [1, 40, 41].
Step 6: data analysis
Data analysis was done through SPSS23 software. The independent sample t-test and chi-square tests were used for data analysis. Odds ratio (OR) and Standardized mean difference (SMD) were calculated from CMA software. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant.
Results
Demographic characteristics
This study comprised 85 male sailors participants of which, 79 members were eligible to participate. The mean value (standard deviation) of participants’ age was 32.96 (3.81). Moreover, the mean Work experience of studied participants was more than 5 years. In terms of job, the majority of participants were sailor in SSVs (n = 52) in the experimental group, while 27 members were office personnel in the control group. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.18 with a standard deviation of 2.12 kg/m2. Table 1 reports the results of demographic characteristics of studied sailor in SSVs and control group.
BMI Body Mass Index, M Mean, SD Standard Deviation.
Vibration exposure status
The mean value of vibration acceleration in three x, y, and z axes was 6.19, 2.68, and 7.54 m/s2, respectively. The mean vibration along axis y was less than that along axes x and z. Statistical analyses revealed that the comparable 8-hour acceleration of hand and arm vibration exposure in boatmen exceeded the Iranian standard (2 m/s2) [1]. The measured values of vibration acceleration of SSVs were reported in Table 2.
M Mean, SD Standard Deviation.
Hand and arm disabilities
According to results shown in Fig. 1, all of the disorder symptoms caused by vibration, such as the white finger, tingling, numbness, trigger finger, swollen fingers, pain, finger weakness in gripping objects, and hand movement limits were observed in the experimental group compared to control group.
According to the results of statistical tests obtained from the DASH questionnaire, the experimental group (10.57 ± 13.07) obtained a higher score, so they had the worse status of disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand compared to the control group (3.42 ± 3.28).
Grip strength of fingers and hands
As seen in Fig. 2, the mean grip strength of hands and fingers of both hands in the experimental group was lower than the control group. According to statistical analyses, there was no link between dominant and non-dominant hand grip strength and DASH questionnaire score in the experimental group (P > 0.05), indicating that there was an indirect relationship between hand grip strength and arm, shoulder, and hand disabilities. On the other hand, there was a significant difference between pinch strength of the dominant hand (SMD = -0.848, 95% CI: − 1.327 to − 0.361, P = 0.001) and non-dominant hand (SMD = -0.638, 95% CI: − 1.114 to − 0.163, P = 0.001) in two experimental and control groups (Fig. 2). However, there was not any significant difference between the strength of the dominant hand’s fingers (SMD = -0.123, 95% CI: − 0.588 to 0.343, P = 0.605) and non-dominant hand’s fingers (SMD = -0.229, 95% CI: − 0.695 to 0.237, P = 0.336) in two experimental and control groups (Fig. 2).
there was no direct association between grip strength of hand and fingers and personal (demographic) information, so any increase (decrease) in demographic variables did not lead to higher (lower) grip strength of hand and fingers (Table 3).
Skill, dexterity, and tactile sensitivity
As seen in Fig. 3, the skill and dexterity of dominant and non-dominant hands were reduced in the experimental group. There was a significant difference between skill and dexterity of dominant (SMD = -1.220, 95% CI: − 1.722 to − 0.718, P = 0.001) and non-dominant hands (SMD = -0.626, 95% CI: − 1.101 to − 0.15, P = 0.010) in two experimental and control groups (Fig. 3). There was also a significant difference between skill and dexterity of both hands (SMD = -1.164, 95% CI: − 1.633 to − 0.664, P = 0.001) and Tweezer test of the dominant hand (SMD = -1.628, 95% CI: − 2.157 to − 1.098, P = 0.001) in two experimental and control groups (Fig. 3). There was not any significant difference between the two experimental and control groups in terms of skill, dexterity, and assembly (SMD = -.167, 95% CI: −.633 to 0.299, P = 0.482) (Fig. 3).
Other results of study indicated that tactile sensitivity of the dominant hand (SMD = 0.585, 95% CI: 0.111 to 1.059, P = 0.015) in the experimental group was higher than in the control group, and there was a significant relationship between the two groups.
Discussion
The existing research examined the manual function deficits suffered by boatmen as a result of vibration exposure. According to the findings of an instrumental examination of musculoskeletal issues in both dominant and non-dominant hands, the experimental group had greater complications than the control group. The disorder symptoms caused by vibration, including white finger, tingling, numbness, trigger finger, swollen fingers, pain, finger weakness in gripping objects, and hand movement limits in experimental groups were more than in the control group. Because the experimental group obtained a higher DASH score, this group had worse conditions in terms of disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand compared to the control group. There is no similar study on S; however, DASH score of the studied population in the extant study was in line with findings of previous studies on individuals who were exposed to vibration [42, 43]. Consistent with the present paper, Buhaug et al. found a high level of upper limb disability in studied patients, and the experimental group obtained a higher DASH score rather than the control group, i.e., disability in the upper limb in the group affected by vibration was higher than the control group [44]. House et al. concluded that individuals affected by vibration experienced disability in their upper extremities [43]. This study indicated a correlation between DASH score and several variables of which, upper extremity pain had the highest effect. Because upper extremity pain is the most prevalent musculoskeletal symptom caused by arm vibration [45], the authors found the highest effect of musculoskeletal factors on disability.
Other findings of the extant study indicated that participants in the experimental group faced more neurosensory complications caused by vibration compared to the control group. This result was matched with findings obtained by Alabadi et al. [1] and Bovenzi et al. [46]. The data collected through questionnaires showed that neurosensory disorders were more prevalent than musculoskeletal and arterial disorders; this finding was consistent with results obtained by Aliabadi et al. [47] and Poorabdian et al. [48]. Unlike our study, Pollard et al. investigated the effect of vibration on grip strength and touch sensation of haul trucks’ drivers and found no significant correlation between touch sensation, grip strength, and-arm vibration, and whole-body vibration [49]. The vibration exposure level of the operators in this investigation was insufficient to have an acute impact, but may have been adequate to cause long-term alterations. This might account for the discrepancy in our findings. Experiment results indicated lower hand skill and strength in the vibration exposure group compared to the experimental group. Aliabadi et al. carried out a study on the level of manual performance disability caused by exposure to hand-arm vibration and found lower grip strength and dexterity among vibration exposure group members [1]. Toibana et al. measured manipulative dexterity in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome and found less grip strength and dexterity in these patients [50]. Unlike the previous research, Vallejo et al. (2007) examined sailors’ grip strength and determined that sailors have greater grip strength than the control group. The dominant hand was shown to be stronger than the non-dominant hand in this research [51]. The reason for such difference may stem from technological progress in the marine industry in developed countries.
The grip strength of the fingers of both hands was higher in the experimental group. Moreover, there was not any direct correlation between hand/fingers grip strength and demographic characteristics, so an increase (decrease) in demographic variables did not lead to higher (lower) grip strength of hand and fingers. Soori et al. [28] and Liao et al. [52] measured grip strength and BMI of the individuals and found a significant association between these two variables. On the other hand, people with average BMI had higher grip strength. In addition, Mohammadian et al. found a positive and significant relationship between fingers’ strength and BMI [53]. Barbara et al. studied the effect of contextual variables on the grip strength and found no significant correlation between age and grip strength of participants [54]. Further studies indicated that aging led to lower grip strength [55,56,57,58]. Mathiowetz et al. concluded that young people aged 25-39 had higher grip strength [56]. Schmidt et al. found that people aged 27-32 had higher grip strength compared to other age groups [59]. Schlüssel et al. examined grip strength in adults and concluded that handgrip strength significantly decreased after 40 [60]. Taekema et al. found that weak grip strength could predict reducing in physical and cognitive disability [61]. Farkkila (1980) carried out a study on vibration-induced neuropathy and found that paraesthesia symptoms, numbness, finger touch sensation, skill, and dexterity of individuals with vibration exposure had worse situations compared to the control group. The results of the respective questionnaire and tests of tactile sensory (Monofilament) and dexterity (pegboard) confirmed the findings [62]. In a study aimed at describing the upper limb disability of Norwegian workers with hand-arm vibration syndrome by Buhaug et al., the workers medical records were reviewed and the DASH questionnaire was completed by them. The results showed that the disability of the upper limbs in these workers was much higher compared to the control group. Also, the mean of DASH score in the case group was 41.2, while this score was 10 in the control group, which means that the inability of the upper limb in the group exposed to vibration is more than the control group. They also found a significant relationship between DASH score and hand grip strength [44]. In the present study, the DASH score in the case group (10.57) was higher than the control group (3.42). However, there was no significant relationship between DASH score and grip strength. It seems that the reason for the difference in the results of the two studies was the difference in the years of exposure to vibration and the difference in the type of jobs between the two studies. The extant study found that the vibration exposure group experienced more musculoskeletal, neurosensory, and arterial complications compared to the control group. In general, vibration exposure decreased the manual function and dexterity of vessel drivers. The current research encountered certain limitations; for example, it was not able to conduct testing before to working a shift and being exposed to workplace vibration in order to compare the findings to those obtained after the shift. Another constraint was large sample size. Therefore, it is recommended to consider these points in further studies.
Conclusion
The extant study aimed to examine the vibration-induced manual disability of vessel drivers. The results found more musculoskeletal, neurosensory, and arterial complications in the vibration exposure group compared to the control group. The experimental group had lower grip strength and finger skills in both hands rather than the control group. In general, vibration exposure decreased the function level of sailor in SSVs.
Following control measures are recommended to improve staff’s situation and alleviate the effect of vibration:
-
Using vibration dampers and absorbers in the body of SSVs.
-
Minimizing the time of vibration exposure.
-
Using Personal protective equipment against vibration, such as anti-vibration gloves and shoes.
Availability of data and materials
Due to the request of the participants in the study and the protection of their privacy, we are exempt from disclosing their personal information publically. The datasets used and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
Soltani A, Aliabadi M, Golmohammadi R, Motamedzade M. Experimental study of the level of manual performance disability caused by exposure to hand-arm vibration among automobile casting workers. J Ergon. 2018;6(1):40–9.
Budd D, Holness D, House R. Functional limitations in workers with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Occup Med. 2018;68(7):478–81.
Costa N, Arezes P, Melo R. Effects of occupational vibration exposure on cognitive/motor performance. Int J Ind Ergon. 2014;44(5):654–61.
Aarhus L, Veiersted KB, Nordby KC, Bast-Pettersen R. Neurosensory component of hand–arm vibration syndrome: a 22-year follow-up study. Occup Med. 2019;69(3):215–8.
House R, Thompson A. Occupational disease prevention strategy. Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Toronto: Hand-arm vibration syndrome; 2015.
Shivpaul RA. The effects of a visco-elastic polymer glove on hand-arm vibration, muscle activity, and comfort during simulated power tool use: University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Canada); 2017.
Nakashima AM. The effect of vibration on human performance and health: a review of recent literature. Def Res Develop Canada, Defence R & D Canada-Toronto. 2004.
Yin Y-m, Cui H-y, Hong M, Zhao D-y. Prediction of the vertical vibration of ship hull based on grey relational analysis and SVM method. J Mar Sci Technol. 2015;20(3):467–74.
DeBord F, Hennessy W, McDonald J. Measurement and analysis of shipboard vibrations. Marine Technol SNAME News. 1998;35(1):1–9.
Sen A, Mohankar AS, Khamaj A, Karmakar S. Emerging OSH issues in installation and maintenance of floating solar photovoltaic projects and their link with sustainable development goals. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2021;14:1939.
Löfgren A, Vihlborg P, Fornander L, Bryngelsson L, Graff P. Nerve function impairment after acute vibration exposure. J Occup Environ Med. 2020;62(2):124–9.
Shibata N. Subjective response of standing persons exposed to fore-aft, lateral and vertical whole-body vibration. Int J Ind Ergon. 2015;49:116–23.
Monazam Esmaeelpour M, Shoja E, Zakeriyan SA, Rahimi Foroushani A, Gharaee M. The effect of whole body vibration (WBV) on discomfort, heart rate and reaction time in men 20 to 30 years. Iran Occupational Health. 2018;15(2):11–20.
Bhuiyan M, Fard M, Robinson S. Effects of whole-body vibration on driver drowsiness: a review. J Saf Res. 2022.
Rahmani R, Aliabadi M, Golmohammadi R, Babamiri M, Farhadian M. Evaluation of cognitive performance of City bus drivers with respect to noise and vibration exposure. Acoustics Australia. 2021;49(3):529–39.
Parsons KC, Griffin MJ. The effect of rotational vibration in roll and pitch axes on the discomfort of seated subjects. Ergonomics. 1978;21(8):615–25.
Yung M, Tennant LM, Milosavljevic S, Trask C. The multisystem effects of simulated agricultural whole body vibration on acute sensorimotor, physical, and cognitive performance. Ann Work Expo Health. 2018;62(7):884–98.
Bhiwapurkar M, Saran V, Harsha S. Effect of multi-axis whole body vibration exposures and subject postures on typing performance. Int J Eng Sci Technol. 2010;2(8):3614–20.
Jiao K, Li Z, Chen M, Wang C, Qi S. Effect of different vibration frequencies on heart rate variability and driving fatigue in healthy drivers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2004;77(3):205–12.
Gerhardsson L, Ahlstrand C, Ersson P, Jonsson P, Gustafsson E. Vibration related symptoms and signs in quarry and foundry workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2021;1-8.
Gerhardsson L, Burstrom L, Hagberg M, Lundstrom R, Nilsson T. Quantitative neurosensory findings, symptoms and signs in young vibration exposed workers. J Occupational Med Toxicol. 2013;8(1):1–7.
Sagar JH, Lohana ST. Hand-arm vibration syndrome in farmers and its correlation with degenerative triangular fibrocartilage complex injury. Indian J Occupational Environ Med. 2019;23(2):79.
Choobineh A, Mohammadian M. Comparison of grip and pinch strengths of adults among five cities of Iran. J School Public Health Instit Public Health Res. 2014;11(3):65–81.
Abdoli-Eramaki M. Body mechanics and workstation design principles (ergonomics). Tehran Omide Majd Publ. 2000:241–50.
Allahyari T, Jafari S, Khalkhali H. Measuring power hand grip strength in a sample of students aged 19-36 in Urmia. J Ergonomics. 2015;3(3):44–50.
Pourtaghi G, Karimi Zarchi A, Valipour F, Assari A. Ergonomic assessment using RULA technique in determining the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic conditions for administrative jobs in a military center. J Military Med. 2015;17(3):155–62.
Massy-Westropp N, Rankin W, Ahern M, Krishnan J, Hearn TC. Measuring grip strength in normal adults: reference ranges and a comparison of electronic and hydraulic instruments. J Hand Surg. 2004;29(3):514–9.
Soury S, Habibi E. Measuring factors affecting grip strength base on ASHT American society of hand therapists. J Health Syst Res. 2015;10(4):719–28.
Ruiz-Ruiz J, Mesa JL, Gutiérrez A, Castillo MJ. Hand size influences optimal grip span in women but not in men. J Hand Surg. 2002;27(5):897–901.
Bayat R, Aliabadi M, Golmohamadi R, Shafiee MM. Assessment of exposure to hand-arm vibration and its related health effects in workers employed in stone cutting workshops of Hamadan city. J Occupational Hygiene Eng. 2016;3(1):25–32.
Poole C, Bovenzi M, Nilsson T, Lawson I, House R, Thompson A, et al. International consensus criteria for diagnosing and staging hand–arm vibration syndrome. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2019;92(1):117–27.
Joshi A, Leu M, Murray S. Ergonomic analysis of fastening vibration based on ISO standard 5349 (2001). Appl Ergon. 2012;43(6):1051–7.
Faizan M, Khan AA. Ergonomic assessment of log bucking operation using a chain saw. Ergonomics for Improved Productivity: Springer; 2022. p. 87–95.
Almeida RF, Pereira ND, Ribeiro LP, Barreto RPG, Kamonseki DH, Haik MN, et al. Is the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire adequate to assess individuals with subacromial pain syndrome? Rasch model and international classification of functioning, disability and health. Phys Ther. 2021;101(5):pzab065.
Cao S, Zhou R, Zhou H, Chen Y, Cui H, Lu Z, et al. Reliability and validity of simplified Chinese version of quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire: cross-cultural adaptation and validation. Clin Rheumatol. 2019;38(11):3281–7.
Prodinger B, Hammond A, Tennant A, Prior Y, Tyson S. Revisiting the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) and QuickDASH in rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019;20(1):41.
Lawson I, McGeoch K. A medical assessment process for a large volume of medico-legal compensation claims for hand–arm vibration syndrome. Occup Med. 2003;53(5):302–8.
Abd El Shakour MF. Psychomotor abilities as a prediction indicator of high-level performance in tennis. Int Sci J Phys Educ Sport Sci. 2020;8(1):82–90.
Dros J, Wewerinke A, Bindels PJ, van Weert HC. Accuracy of monofilament testing to diagnose peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review. Ann Fam Med. 2009;7(6):555–8.
Roberts HC, Denison HJ, Martin HJ, Patel HP, Syddall H, Cooper C, et al. A review of the measurement of grip strength in clinical and epidemiological studies: towards a standardised approach. Age Ageing. 2011;40(4):423–9.
Allahyari T, Khalkhali H, Jafari S. Measuring power hand grip strength in a sample of students aged 19-36 in Urmia. J Ergonom. 2015;3(3):44–50.
Carlsson IK, Rosén B, Dahlin LB. Self-reported cold sensitivity in normal subjects and in patients with traumatic hand injuries or hand-arm vibration syndrome. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010;11(1):1–10.
House R, Wills M, Liss G, Switzer-McIntyre S, Manno M, Lander L. Upper extremity disability in workers with hand–arm vibration syndrome. Occup Med. 2009;59(3):167–73.
Buhaug K, Moen BE, Irgens Å. Upper limb disability in Norwegian workers with hand-arm vibration syndrome. J Occupational Med Toxicol. 2014;9(1):1–7.
Griffin MJ, Bovenzi M. The diagnosis of disorders caused by hand-transmitted vibration: Southampton workshop 2000. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2002;75(1):1–5.
Bovenzi M, Griffin M, Hagberg M. Diagnosis of injuries caused by hand-transmitted vibration–2nd International workshop. Report Occupational Environ Med. (114).
Aliabadi M, Bayat R, Golmohammadi R, Farhadian M, Taghavi SME. Health effects and work disability caused by exposure to hand-transmitted vibration among stone cutting workers. Acoustics Australia. 2017;45(2):471–82.
Pourabdian S, Habibi E, Sadegi M, M R. Effects of anti-vibration handle use on hand grinding machine vibration. J Health Syst. 2011;6(1):124–32.
Pollard J, Porter W, Mayton A, Xu X, Weston E. The effect of vibration exposure during haul truck operation on grip strength, touch sensation, and balance. Int J Ind Ergon. 2017;57:23–31.
Toibana N, Ishikawa N, Sakakibara H. Measurement of manipulative dexterity in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2002;75(1):106–10.
Barrionuevo Vallejo JM, Fructuoso Rosique D, Hernández Ros E, Martínez G-MI. Maximal strength and endurance hand grip in tornado sailor. Apunts Sports Medicine. 2007;42(156):161–8.
Liao K-H. Hand grip strength in low, medium, and high body mass index males and females. Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health. 2016;3(1).
Mohammadian M, Choobineh A, Haghdoost AA, Hashemi NN. Investigation of grip and pinch strengths in Iranian adults and their correlated anthropometric and demographic factors. Work. 2016;53(2):429–37.
Haward BM, Griffin MJ. Repeatability of grip strength and dexterity tests and the effects of age and gender. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2002;75(1):111–9.
Hanten WP, Chen W-Y, Austin AA, Brooks RE, Carter HC, Law CA, et al. Maximum grip strength in normal subjects from 20 to 64 years of age. J Hand Ther. 1999;12(3):193–200.
Mathiowetz V, Kashman N, Volland G, Weber K, Dowe M, Rogers S. Grip and pinch strength: normative data for adults. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1985;66(2):69–74.
Yu R, Ong S, Cheung O, Leung J, Woo J. Reference values of grip strength, prevalence of low grip strength, and factors affecting grip strength values in Chinese adults. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2017;18(6):551. e9–e16.
Adedoyin RA, Ogundapo FA, Mbada CE, Adekanla BA, Johnson OE, Onigbinde TA, et al. Reference values for handgrip strength among healthy adults in Nigeria. Hong Kong Physiother J. 2009;27(1):21–9.
Mathiowetz V. Comparison of Rolyan and Jamar dynamometers for measuring grip strength. Occup Ther Int. 2002;9(3):201–9.
Schlüssel MM, dos Anjos LA, de Vasconcellos MTL, Kac G. Reference values of handgrip dynamometry of healthy adults: a population-based study. Clin Nutr. 2008;27(4):601–7.
Taekema DG, Gussekloo J, Maier AB, Westendorp RGJ, de Craen AJM. Handgrip strength as a predictor of functional, psychological and social health. A prospective population-based study among the oldest old. Age Ageing. 2010;39(3):331–7.
Färkkilä M, Pyykkö I, Korhonen O, Starck J. Vibration-induced decrease in the muscle force in lumberjacks. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1980;43(1):1–9.
Acknowledgements
This study was based on a research proposal (code number: 98000094) approved by Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences. We would like to thank the supports of the Marine Medicine Research Center of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences. The authors wish to thank the Sailors Working in southern Iran.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
GhP conceived the project. HS, FP and RE wrote the main manuscript text and MB and SH prepared tables. All authors reviewed the manuscript. The author(s) read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
This study was approved as a research project in the ethics committee of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences with code number IR.BMSU.REC.1398.273 and was performed in accordance with Declaration of Helsinki. In the present study all participants were above 18 years old and signed an informed consent form prior to taking part in the study.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.
About this article
Cite this article
Saeidnia, H., Esmaeili, R., Babamiri, M. et al. Effect of the level of manual performance disability caused by exposure to vibration among sailors working on sailing speed vessels. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 23, 515 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05448-w
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05448-w