Armstrong T J, Fine L J, Radwin R G, Silverstein B S
University of Michigan, Center for Ergonomics, Ann Arbor 48109.
Scand J Work Environ Health. 1987 Aug;13(4):286-9. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.2049.
Along with ergonomic factors, such as forceful and repeated exertion and certain postures, vibration has been cited as a factor of chronic nerve and tendon disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis. The arguments for the contribution of vibration come from epidemiologic studies, clinical case analyses, and studies of short-term effects. It is well established that vibration stimulates muscle contraction, which is called the tonic vibration reflex. It is also known that vibration reduces tactility and that tactility affects the amount of force exerted to hold or manipulate a given object. For localized vibration exposure of the hand and arm to occur, the hand must grip a vibrating object. Vibration may increase the risk of chronic tendon and nerve disorders by increasing the force exerted in repetitive manual tasks. This close relationship between force and vibration, and difficulties in measuring force and vibration in manual work, makes it very difficult to determine their relative contributions in epidemiologic and clinical studies.
除了诸如用力和反复用力以及某些姿势等人体工程学因素外，振动也被认为是导致慢性神经和肌腱疾病（如腕管综合征和肌腱炎）的一个因素。关于振动作用的论据来自流行病学研究、临床病例分析以及短期效应研究。众所周知，振动会刺激肌肉收缩，这被称为紧张性振动反射。还已知振动会降低触觉，而触觉会影响握持或操作给定物体时所施加的力量大小。要使手部和手臂受到局部振动暴露，手必须握住振动的物体。振动可能通过增加重复性手工任务中所施加的力量，从而增加慢性肌腱和神经疾病的风险。力量与振动之间的这种密切关系，以及在体力劳动中测量力量和振动的困难，使得在流行病学和临床研究中很难确定它们各自的相对作用。
