Evaluating abnormal cold sensitivity among vibration-exposed workers using hand cold stress testing: A clinical cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

Workers exposed to hand-arm vibration (HAV) commonly experience discomfort in their hands when cold. There is a lack of diagnostic tests for such abnormal cold sensitivity. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the results of cold stress testing in relation to self-reported cold sensitivity among HAV-exposed workers.

Methods

We recruited 225 workers exposed to HAV who responded to a written screening question about cold sensitivity. Cold stress testing was conducted, where the right hand was immersed in 3.0 °C circulating water for up to 60 seconds. The tolerance time for immersion as well as continuous pain ratings on a digital visual analog scale (ranging from 0 to 100 millimeters) were recorded.

Results

The study sample consisted of 208 males (92.4 %) and 17 females, with a mean (SD) age of 40.6 (13.7) years. Among the 190 workers that completed cold stress testing, the mean (SD) tolerance time was 43.7 (16.4) seconds, mean (SD) maximum pain rating 69.8 (27.6) millimeters, and mean (SD) time to maximum pain 38.7 (15.9) seconds. Cold sensitivity was reported by 54 workers (24.1 %). Cold sensitivity was not statistically significantly associated with tolerance time or maximum pain rating, but symptomatic workers had a shorter time to maximum pain (p = 0.018).

Conclusions

Workers who reported cold sensitivity experienced a more rapid increase in cold-related pain, had a tendency towards shorter tolerance time but did not differ in maximum pain ratings. Further studies are needed to determine how to effectively investigate cold sensitivity among HAV-exposed workers.