Cross-sectional comparison of nerve conduction and vibration threshold testing: do screening tools for occupationally induced cumulative trauma disorders result in differing outcomes?

Purpose/method: Early diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is essential for its effective treatment and subsequent reduction or prevention of the personal and economic losses associated with it. This paper describes a comparison of vibration threshold testing (VTT) and nerve conduction testing (NCT) within the same subjects.

Results: Across age and diagnostic category there was little difference between VTT results and the NCT velocity measure in their ability to identify individuals with CTS.

Identification of Ergonomic-Related Hazards in an Industrial Sample Using the National Occupational Exposure Survey.

The National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) was used to determine probabilities for 4 potential physical-agent and 10 potential ergonomic-related exposure hazards among a representative sample of U.S. industries.

Structural impediments to the efficient use of older workers in the United States.

Structural impediments in the U.S. that will prevent the efficient use of the older worker, and prevent the Federal Government from successfully requiring workers to stay employed to age 70, are presented.