Changes in the forearm tcpO2following the cold water immersion test

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to apply changes in forearm transcutaneous PO2 (tcPO2) during the cold water immersion test (5°C, for 10 min) to the diagnosis of vibration syndrome. Forearm tcP02 in healthy controls increased gradually up to 3 min after the start of the cold water immersion and decreased thereafter. It returned to almost the same level before immersion 5 min after the start. In the workers using vibrating tools manifesting Raynaud's phenomenon, forearm tcP02 also increased up to 3 min after the start as in healthy controls, but no change was observed thereafter. The difference between the level of forearm tcPCO2at 3 min and that at 10 min after the start of the immersion (Forearm tcP02 recovery index, newly devised by authors) in workers using vibrating tools was significantly lower than that in healthy controls. Therefore, investigation of changes in forearm tcP02 following the cold water immersion test is considered to be a useful objective item which can contribute to the diagnosis of vibration syndrome. Key words: forearm tcPO2; cold water immersion test; vibration syndrome; Raynaud's phenomenon. © 1986, Japan Society for Occupational Health. All rights reserved.