Analysis of temperature on the surface of the wrist due to repetitive movements using sensory thermography

Abstract

This study examines changes in body temperature generated in the wrist area through sensory thermography technique because of highly repetitive movements, proving with this technique that there is a decreased ability to perform muscular work, and thereby assess possible pathologies of Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs). Methods: Two healthy right-handed individuals, who performed repetitive work, emulating an operation of the textile industry for three days, generated DTA in the area of the wrist. The evaluation time was of 3 hours 30 minutes in a controlled temperature between 20 and 25°C, 20 minutes stabilization time at the beginning and end of the operation. Results: The maximum temperatures reached were on the right wrist (RW) of 35. 078°C over a period of 1 hour 41 minutes 52 seconds; and on the left wrist (LR), 34.663°C over a period of 2 hours 42 minutes 51 seconds, detected discomfort in their right shoulder and wrist in the time range which identified the highest temperatures. It was shown that the data does not fit a normal distribution for RW and LW; the data fit the three- parameters Weibull distribution for WR and LW with a correlation coefficient between 0.93 to 0.99.