Physiological studies
Experimental studies of physiological responses to hand-transmitted vibration, including effects on blood flow, finger temperature, and finger systolic blood pressure; vibrotactile and thermal thresholds.
Diagnosis of disorders
Development of techniques for the diagnosis of vascular and neurological disorders caused by hand-transmitted vibration. Standardisation of diagnostic techniques. Investigations of the sensitivity and specificity of objective indicators of disorder. Investigations of the repeatability of diagnostic methods.
Determination of normal values for objective indicators of disorders caused by hand-transmitted vibration .
Production and calibration of hardware and software for HVLab diagnostic systems (vibrometer, thermal aesthesiometer, finger rewarming system and multi-channel plethysmograph); support to users of HVLab systems.
Assessment of patients referred for diagnosis.
Epidemiological studies
Studies of the relation between occupational exposures to hand-transmitted vibration and the development of signs and symptoms of disorder.
Psychological studies
Subjective responses to hand-transmitted vibration, including absolute thresholds and difference thresholds for hand-transmitted vibration.
Biodynamic studies
Biodynamic responses to hand-transmitted vibration, including measures of apparent mass and dynamic modelling.
Assessment of the transmission of vibration through gloves and the development of methods of measuring, evaluating, and assessing glove performance.
Field studies
Measurement, evaluation, and assessment of occupational exposures to hand-transmitted vibration according to relevant standards.
