Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2002 Jun;14(2):124-133.

Evaluation of Finger Skin Temperature by Cold Provocation Test for Diagnosis of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome

• Yoo CI
• Lee JH
• Lee CR
• Lee H
• Choi YH
• Kim YH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Various objective tests have been widely used worldwide for diagnosing the hand-arm vibration syndrome. Among these, the cold provocation test has been frequently used to confirm the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon. This study was carried out in order to evaluate finger skin temperature by cold provocation test(10 degrees C for 10 minute) for the diagnosis of hand-arm vibration syndrome
METHODS
Fifty-eight workers who had been exposed to local vibration were examined. Information concerning age, occupation, types of vibration tools used, presence of subjective symptoms such as vibration induced white finger(VWF), and numbness and tingling were collected. The subjects were classified into three groups according to their symptoms(Vascular, Neural, and No symptom group). In order to examine the applicability of the cold provocation test using water at 10 degrees C for 10 minute, we compared finger skin temperature between the groups.
RESULTS
The mean value of the finger skin temperature at 5 minutes and 10 minutes after cold provocation as well as the recovery rate in the vascular group were significantly lower than that seen in the other groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation of finger skin temperature by cold provocation test is very useful method for the diagnosis of hand-arm vibration syndrome. The test results will assist in confirming the diagnosis of the hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Keyword

Vibration; Cold provocation test; Finger skin temperature

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis*
Fingers*
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome*
Hypesthesia
Occupations
Skin Temperature*
Skin*
Vibration
Water
Water