Evaluation of peripheral circulation in the fingers of individuals who handle vibra tion tools using laser speckle flowgraphy

Abstract

“White fingers” is a well-known symptom of Hand-Arm-Vibration-Syndrome (HAVS) in Japan. Although the number of HAVS cases is declining due to limited working time and the invention of HAV tools, it is estimated that there is still over a million workers who use hand-arm vibrating tools in the manufacturing industry. Among these workers, only 63,000 have undergone specific health checkup for vibration. Because of its convenience and simplicity, laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) may be an efficient device for detecting early-stage HAVS in peripheral blood flow. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between peripheral blood flow changes and cumulative vibration exposure and to elucidate the efficiency of the cold water immersion test, using LSFG, in screening vibration damage. In this study, we could not determine a relationship between peripheral blood flow and cumulative vibration exposure. However, the objectivity and reproducibility of the LSFG could be used to the occupational health check-up of vibration diseases. Further investigation is required for the actual use of this examination using the LSFG.