Bioimpedance analysis has already proved its utility in many fields of medical research (cardiovascular and respiratory systems, body composition, muscle etc). This method is easy to implement and could be used for continuous noninvasive monitoring. Several factors, environmental temperature being one of the most significant, strongly influence the accuracy of the measurements. Changes in surface skin temperature produced by changes in ambient temperature are related with changes in blood flow and skin impedance. Consequently, the variability of the skin impedance change is responsible for some errors in segmental measurements. Measurements including body parts more distant from the torso seem to be more affected. In this paper we measure the impedance (central or associated with a specific segment) of the body, on healthy subjects, under expectable changes in environment temperature (15-30 °C). Additionally, we present a genuine device, designed and built in order to measure this impedance. An oscillator generates a constant current with adjustable frequency between 5 kHz and 150 kHz. The circuit was validated by testing its current output over a wide frequency range and by comparing the measured values of impedance across a test circuit with the expected values. Results indicate that skin impedance changes are influenced by ambient temperature. Measurements show a relative variation between 2% and 12% in different parts of the body. These changes may lead to significant changes in blood flow in those sections, with repercussions on the body. For people working in tough conditions it is also necessary to monitor physiological parameters by non-invasive methods in order to prevent possible accidents.
Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic illness which damages central and peripheral nervous system. The presence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in PD, it has been suggested to be the effect of treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate autonomic cardiac control in PD patients with normal serum levels of vitamin B12 by means of spectral analysis of short-term heart rate variability (HRV) and also to assess the prevalence of PN using electrophysiological examinations. Methods: 30 (18 male and 12 female) with PD were compared to 20 age-and sex-matched control subjects. Short-term ECG was used to calculate time domain and spectral parameters of HRV. The stimulodetection examination was realized in the motor fibers of median, peroneal and tibial nerves, and in the sensitive fibers of median and sural nerve according to the standard procedures. Results: Low and high frequency were lower in PD patients than in controls (LF: 332.±288.4 ms² PD vs 723.9±348.2 ms 2 C; HF: 283.72±241.97 ms² PD vs 530.54±226.5 ms² C, p<0.01). No differences between LF/HF ratio of PD and controls appeared. Sensory nerve action potential in sural nerve was reduced in PD patients. No differences between sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities of PD and controls appeared. Conclusions: PD causes dysfunction of autonomic cardiovascular regulation and peripheral nerve involvement.
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