期刊名称：Scandinavian journal of Work, Environment and Health
印刷版ISSN：0355-3140
出版年度：2017
卷号：43
期号：2
页码：163-170
DOI：10.5271/sjweh.3619
语种：English
出版社：National Board of Occupational Safety and Health
摘要：Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of impaired median nerve function in relation to hand-intensive seasonal work. We hypothesized that at end-season, median nerve conduction would be impaired and then recover within weeks.Methods Using nerve conduction studies (NCS), we examined median nerve conduction before, during, and after engaging in 22 days of mink skinning. For a subgroup, we used goniometry and surface electromyography to characterize occupational mechanical exposures. Questionnaire information on symptoms, disability, and lifestyle factors was obtained. Results The study comprised 11 male mink skinners with normal median nerve conduction at pre-season (mean age 35.7 years, mean number of seasons with skinning 8.9 years). Mink skinning was characterized by a median angle of wrist flexion/extension of 16º extension, a median velocity of wrist flexion/extension of 22 °/s, and force exertions of 11% of maximal voluntary electrical activity. At end-season, mean distal motor latency (DML) had increased 0.41 ms (PConclusions In this natural experiment, impaired median nerve conduction developed during 22 days of repetitive industrial work with moderate wrist postures and limited force exertion. Recovery occurred within 3–6 weeks post-season.
