Assessment of central and peripheral nerve functions in chain-saw operators: a study of short-latency somatosensory evoked potential and peripheral nerve conduction.

In order to clarify the effects of local vibration on the peripheral and central nervous system, peripheral (median) nerve conduction velocities and short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) following stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist were measured in 15 male forest workers in 1986. They had engaged in chain-saw operation for 16-34 (mean 22) years; their working days in 1985 averaged 124 days with a range of 50-203 days. The results indicated significant delays in maximal motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities followed by prolongation of all 4 peak latencies of SSEP up to the sensory cortex of the brain (N9, N13, N20 and P23 latencies) in chain-saw operators; their N9 and P23 latencies were significantly correlated with total working days per year. On the other hand, no significant prolongation of the interpeak latencies of SSEP (i.e., cervico-spinobulbar and central conduction times) was found in the workers. It is concluded that local vibration predominantly affects peripheral nerve conduction; cervico-spinobulbar and central nerve conduction may not be significantly affected.