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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Chronic Effects of Whole-Body Vibration

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The reactions of the body to stress from mechanical vibration, presented in the section “Acute Effects of Mechanical Vibration” (see p. 12), deal with individual organs and functions. It is now time for the following question to be asked: Are these physiological or pathophysiological changes in reality the external symptoms of a vibration-induced illness of the whole organism? Above all, some Soviet scientists are of this opinion. Andreeva-Galanina (1967) has especially called this concept “vibration illness” and has used it in the sense that the totality of vibration-induced changes in the human organism can be characterized (Rublack 1978). In this systemic “vibration illness,” Andreeva-Galanina differentiated between two different forms, which were to be characterized by the following symptoms: 1. Vessel spasms with sensitivity disturbances, particularly the sensation of vibration, trophic as well as central nervous disturbances (evoked by vibration > 35 Hz). 2. Vessel atonia, hemostasis, bone and joint changes (including the vertebral column), minor perception disorders (evoked by vibration < 35 Hz).