Manual dexterity impairment

An epidemiological study found significant increases in neurasthenia (i.e., fatigue, depressed mood, lack of initiative, dizziness, and sleep disturbances) in workers who were chronically exposed to jet fuels by inhalation, oral, and/or dermal exposure (Knave et al. 1978). Also, attention and sensorimotor speed were impaired, but no effects were found on memory function or manual dexterity. EEG results suggest that the exposed workers may have had instability in the thalamocortical system. The limitations of the study are discussed in detail in Section 2.2.1.2 under Respiratory Effects. 

Halothane is used as a clinical anesthetic, and all levels of central nervous system depression can be expected, including amnesia, analgesia, anesthesia, and respiratory depression. Levels ranging from 5000 to 3 0,000 ppm can induce anesthesia, whereas 5000-15,000ppm can maintain it. A 30-minute exposure to 4000 ppm caused amnesia and impairment of manual dexterity, whereas similar exposure to 1000 ppm did not alter the outcome on various psychomotor tests. ... 

Based on effects caused in monkeys and rats, the following are expected in humans 20,000 ppm for 60 minutes, coma and possibly death 10,000 ppm for 30 minutes, marked incoordination 2000ppm for 5 minutes, disturbance of equilibrium. Human subjects exposed to 900-1000ppm for 20 minutes experienced light-headedness, incoordination, and impaired equilibrium transient eye irritation has also been reported at similar concentrations. Impairments in psychomotor task performance such as reaction time, perceptual speed, and manual dexterity have been demonstrated at levels around 350ppm. Other studies at similar exposure levels have failed to show any impairment, but the type of task chosen to test behavioral effects and the times at which behavioral measures were sampled during the course of exposure may explain the variations from study to study." ... 

Psychomotor Impairments were measured by such test batteries as the numerical facility, speed of closure, Purdue pegboard, and Strom-berg manual dexterity tests. Anecdotal reports, both by subjects and by staff, of changes In behavior and mood generally paralleled the other symptoms. The spectrum of the effects and their Intensity is similar to that commonly reported in the recent literature on cannabis studies in other volunteer populations. However, DMHP acetate seemed to elicit more orthostatic hypotension, and cannabis, a greater degree of mental effects. 

Opticare produce eye drop dispensers that make instilling eye drops easier. These eye drop dispensers hold the plastic eye dropper bottles used by manufacturers and make them easier to squeeze, with only slight pressure needed to dispense a single drop. For patients with impaired manual dexterity or arthritis the Opticare Arthro model has extended arms, making the process of squeezing the bottle effortless. 

Impairment of visual perception, of manual dexterity, of learning, and of performance of certain intellectual tasks Increased coronary blood flow... 

Single-dose studies found that the pharmacokinetics of 20-mg doses of zolpidem were unaffected by 50 mg of chlorpromazine or 2 mg of ha-loperidol. The pharmacokinetics of both of these antipsychotics were unaffected by zolpidem, except that in one study the elimination half-life of chlorpromaziue was increased irom about 5 to 8 hours. Chlorpro-mazine increased the sedative effects of zolpidem (as indicated by impaired performances of manual dexterity and Stroop s tests). It seems likely that additive sedation will be seen with other sedative dmgs. 

No requirement for boron in mammals is proven, although evidence is accumulating suggesting that boron may be an essential nutrient. Boron is related to normal energy utilization, immune function, and metabolism of bone, minerals, and lipids. Boron deficiency (<0.04 mg B/kg ration of dams) impairs early embryonic development in rodents these effects were not observed at 2.0 mg B/kg ration. Boron deprivation in animals and humans results in decreased brain electrical activity similar to that observed in nonspecific malnutrition, and reduced cognitive and psychomotor function. Learning performance (manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, memory, attention, perception) in humans was... 

Carbon monoxide, emitted by motor vehicles, is toxic because it diminishes the blood s ability to carry oxygen, in high concentrations, carbon monoxide is lethal, in lower concentrations, it causes the heart and respiratory system to work harder. The adverse health effects related to carbon monoxide exposure include impairment of visual perception, decreased work capacity, decreased manual dexterity, and lower learning ability. Those who suffer from cardiovascular disease, especially those with angina or peripheral vascular disease, are most sensitive. 

Overexposure to cold causes discomfort and a variety of health problems. Cold stress impairs performance of both manual and complex mental tasks. Sensitivity and dexterity of fingers lessen in cold. At lower temperatures still, cold affects... 

In addition to the obvious health risks, extreme cold can decrease efficiency and increase the likelih(X)d of work-related accidents, because it affects the performance of both mental and physical tasks. Manual tasks are impaired because the sensitivity and dexterity of fingers are reduced in the cold, notes the The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health Safety. At even lower temperatures, the cold affects the deeper muscles, resulting in reduced muscular strength and stiffened Joints. ... 

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