Summary
This review presents a critical evaluation of the literature on health effects in long-term occupational exposure to whole-body vibration. To assess the relative weight of each epidemiologic study, a scoring procedure has been used, according to the quality of exposure data, effect data, study design and methodology. The most frequently reported adverse effects are: low-back pain, early degeneration of the lumbar spinal system and herniated lumbar disc. No study reached an adequate score on all criteria of evaluation. Nevertheless, because most studies show a strong tendency in a similar direction, it may be concluded that long-term exposure to wholebody vibration is harmful to the spinal system. The results do not yet permit firm conclusions on exposure-response relationships. Further epidemiologic research, particularly of high-risk groups, is needed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Backman AL (1983) Health survey of professional drivers. Scand J Work Environ Health 9:30–35
Backman AL, Järvinen E (1983) Turnover of professional drivers. Scand J Work Environ Health 9:36–41
Cavigneaux A, Lafont H (1969) Etude des lombalgies chez des conducteurs de taxi. Cah Notes Document 653-56-69:295–298
Christ W, Dupuis H (1968) Untersuchung der Möglichkeit von gesundlichen Schädigungen im Bereich der Wirbelsäule bei Schlepperfahrern. Med Welt 36:1919–1920; 19677#x2013;1972
Delahaye RP, Seris H, Auffret R, Jolly R, Gueffier G, Metges P (1971) L'examen radiologique du rachis et l'aptitude à l'emploi de pilote d'hélicoptère. Rev Med Aeronaut Spat 38:99–102
Dupuis H, Christ W (1972) Untersuchung der Möglichkeit von Gesundheitsschädigungen im Bereich der Wirbelsäule bei Schlepperfahrern. Heft A. Max-Planck-Institut für Landarbeit und Landtechnik, Bad Kreuznach
Dupuis H, Zerlett G (1984) Beanspruchung des Menschen durch mechanische Schwingungen — Kenntnisstand zur Wirkung von Ganzkörper-Schwingungen. Hauptverband der gewerbl. Berufsgenossenschaft, Bonn
Fisher V, Witt AN, Tröger O, Tröger H, Beck A (1980) Vibrationsbedingte Wirbelsäuleschä-den bei Hubschrauberpiloten. Arbeitsmed Sozialmed Präventivmed 15:161–163
Froom P, Froom J, Dijk D van, Caine Y, Ribak J, Margaliot S, Floman Y (1984) Lytic spondylolisthesis in helicopter pilots. Aviat Space Environ med 55:556–557
Griffin MJ (1982) The effects of vibration on health. ISVR Memorandum 632, Southampton, pp 1–154
Gruber GJ (1977) Relationships between whole body vibration and morbidity patterns among interstate truck drivers. NIOSH, Cincinnati, Ohio
Gruber GJ, Zipermann H (1974) Relationship between whole body vibration and morbidity patterns among motor coach operators. NIOSH, Cincinnati, Ohio
Hannunkari I, Järvinen E, Partanen T (1978) Work conditions and health of locomotive engineers. Scand J Work Environ Health 4 [Suppl. 3:15–28
Heide R (1978) Zur Wirkung langzeitiger beruflicher Ganzkörper-Vibrationsexposition. Thesis, Berlin
Helmkamp JC, Talbott EO, Marsh GM (1984) Whole body vibration - a critical review. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 45:162–167
Hilfert R, Köhne G, Toussaint R, Zerlett G (1981) Probleme der Ganzkörperschwingungsbelastung von Erdbaumaschinenführern. Zentralbl Arbeitsmed 31:199–206
ISO 2631/1 (1985) Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration. Part 1: general requirements. ISO, Geneva
Junghanns H (1975) Die Wirbelsäule in der Arbeitsmedizin. Arbeitsmed Sozialmed Praventivmed 7:136–138
Kelsey JL, Hardy RL (1975) Driving of motor vehicles as a risk factor for acute herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. Am J Epidemiol 102:63–73
Kelsey JL, Githens PB, O'Connor TO, Calogero JA, Weil U, Holford TR, White AA, Walter SD, Ostfeld AM, Southwick W (1984) Acute prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc: an epidemiologic study with special reference to driving automobiles and cigarette smoking. Spine 9:608–614
Köhl U (1975) Les dangers encourus par les conducteurs de tracteurs. Arch Mal Prof Med Trav Secur Soc 36:145–162
Kunz F, Meyer HR (1969) Rückenbeschwerden und Wirbelsäulenbefunde bei Führern schwerer Baumaschinen. Z Unfallmed Berufskr 62:178–189
Milby TH, Spear RC (1974) Relationship between whole body vibration and morbidity patterns among heavy equipment operators. NIOSH, Cincinnati, Ohio
Rosegger R, Rosegger S (1960) Health effects of tractor driving. J Agric Eng Res 5:241–275
Schulte-Wintrop HC, Knoche H (1978) Backache in UH-1 D helicopter crews. AGARD-CP 255:19–1 to 19-12
Seidel B, Tröster FA (1980) Ergebnis einer gezielten Reihenuntersuchung von 60 Traktoristen auf Gesundheitsschäden durch Lärm und Vibration. Z Ges Hyg Grenzgeb 16:447–450
Shanahan DF, Reading TE (1984) Helicopter pilot back pain: a preliminary study. Aviat Space Environ Med 55:117–121
Spear RC, Keller C, Behrens V, Hudes M, Tarter D (1975) Morbidity patterns among heavy equipment operators exposed to whole body vibration. NIOSH, Cincinnati, Ohio
Thompson SJ (1981) Effects of noise on the cardiovascular system: appraisal of epidemiologic evidence. EPA, Washington DC
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by a grant from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hulshof, C., Veldhuijzen van Zanten, B. Whole-body vibration and low-back pain. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 59, 205–220 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377733
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377733