The hand and environment (3)--physiological changes of digital functions in two age groups studied by vibratory stimulations and a cold water immersion.

Skin temperature, vibratory sensibility and pinch strength of the hand were recorded continuously in 20 healthy adults through two vibratory stress tests (32 Hz and 125 Hz) and a cold water (10 degrees C) immersion (for 10 min) test in a climatic chamber (20 degrees C, 50% humidity). As a stressor to the hand, the immersion was the most effective and the vibrator stress at 32 Hz was next. As a detector for function of the hand, vibratory sensibility at 125 Hz was proved to be the most valuable and the digital temperature was the next. As to aging, the mature age group showed low vibratory sensibilities at 63 Hz, higher digital temperatures, stronger pinch strengths, and quicker recoveries after the stress tests. Along the passage of time after entering the chamber, the vibratory sensibilities and the pinch strengths did not show any changes. However, the digital temperatures became continuously lower.