Abstract
Various functions of the hand have been evaluated by quantitative expressions. However, how these normal numerical data change with various environmental and individual conditions has been scarcely reported. Here, the authors have undertaken several basic experiments. Of various functions of the hand, three indicators namely, digital temperature, vibratory sensibility and pinch strength, all of which have been utilized clinically by the authors were selected. As environmental conditions two room conditions (10℃ with 50% humidity and 30℃ with 50% humidity) were maintained. As a stress test, cold water immersions were undertaken on 21 healthy male adults (an older age group contained 10 persons and the younger age group 11 persons) at each room condition. Digital temperatures of the older age group seemed to be slightly higher than the younger age group. The immersed fingers recovered more smoothly in the 30℃ room within 40 minutes than in the 10℃ room. Pinch strengths of the immersed fingers were reduced by the immersions, significantly in the 10℃ room. Vibratory sensibilities became lowered in the immersed fingers.
