Differences in conductive foot cooling: a comparison between males and females

Lunt, Heather; Tipton, Michael J.

doi:10.1007/s00421-014-2988-5

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In showing that thermosensitivity across hands and feet is similar between males and females when these are matched for body surface area, our study complements previous evidence showing that sex differences in thermophysiological responses of hands and feet are reduced when male and female groups are matched by body surface area (36,45).…”

Section: Males and Females Present Small Thermosensitivity Differencessupporting

confidence: 86%

Thermosensory micromapping of warm and cold sensitivity across glabrous and hairy skin of male and female hands and feet

Filingeri

Zhang

Arens

2018

Journal of Applied Physiology

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The ability of hands and feet to convey skin thermal sensations is an important contributor to our experience of the surrounding world. Surprisingly, the detailed topographical distribution of warm and cold thermosensitivity across hands and feet has not been mapped, although sensitivity maps exist for touch and pain. Using a recently developed quantitative sensory test, we mapped warm and cold thermosensitivity of 103 skin sites over glabrous and hairy skin of hands and feet in male (M; 30.2 ± 5.8 yr) and female (F; 27.7 ± 5.1 yr) adults matched for body surface area (M: 1.77 ± 0.2 m; F: 1.64 ± 0.1 m; P = 0.155). Findings indicated that warm and cold thermosensitivity varies by fivefold across glabrous and hairy skin of hands and feet and that hands (warm/cold sensitivity: 1.25/2.14 vote/°C) are twice as sensitive as the feet (warm/cold sensitivity: 0.51/0.99 vote/°C). Opposite to what is known for touch and pain sensitivity, we observed a characteristic distal-to-proximal increase in thermosensitivity over both hairy and glabrous skin (i.e., from fingers and toes to body of hands and feet), and found that hairy skin is more sensitive than glabrous. Finally, we show that body surface area-matched men and women presented small differences in thermosensitivity and that these differences are constrained to glabrous skin only. Our high-density thermosensory micromapping provides the most detailed thermosensitivity maps of hands and feet in young adults available to date. These maps offer a window into peripheral and central mechanisms of thermosensory integration in humans and will help guide future developments in smart skin and sensory neuroprostheses, in wearable, energy-efficient personal comfort systems, and in sport and protective clothing. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We provide the most detailed thermosensitivity maps across glabrous and hairy skin of hands and feet in men and women available to date. Our maps show that thermosensitivity varies by fivefold across hands and feet, distal regions (e.g., fingers, toes) are less sensitive than proximal (e.g., palm, sole), hands are twice as sensitive as feet, and men and women present small thermosensitivity differences. These findings will help guide developments in sensory neuroprostheses, wearable comfort systems, and sport/protective clothing.

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Section: Males and Females Present Small Thermosensitivity Differencessupporting

confidence: 86%

Thermosensory micromapping of warm and cold sensitivity across glabrous and hairy skin of male and female hands and feet

Filingeri

Zhang

Arens

2018

Journal of Applied Physiology

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“… 44 However, hand volume provided an even stronger correlation with cooling rates, so anthropometric differences may predominate instead. 45 A similar finding was reported by Lunt and Tipton 46 with females exhibiting faster toe temperature cooling in response to conductive cooling of the soles of the feet; no intra-menstrual cycle differences were evident. Again, the generally larger male foot volume, along with a strong correlation between foot dimension and toe cooling rate, suggest a dominant anthropometric rather than sex effect.…”

Section: Population Studiessupporting

confidence: 81%

Responses of the hands and feet to cold exposure

Cheung

2015

Temperature

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An initial response to whole-body or local exposure of the extremities to cold is a strong vasoconstriction, leading to a rapid decrease in hand and foot temperature. This impairs tactile sensitivity, manual dexterity, and muscle contractile characteristics while increasing pain and sympathetic drive, decreasing gross motor function, occupational performance, and survival. A paradoxical and cyclical vasodilatation often occurs in the fingers, toes, and face, and this has been termed the hunting response or cold-induced vasodilatation (CIVD). Despite being described almost a century ago, the mechanisms of CIVD are still disputed; research in this area has remained largely descriptive in nature. Recent research into CIVD has brought increased standardization of methodology along with new knowledge about the impact of mediating factors such as hypoxia and physical fitness. Increasing mechanistic analysis of CIVD has also emerged along with improved modeling and prediction of CIVD responses. The present review will survey work conducted during this century on CIVD, its potential mechanisms and modeling, and also the broader context of manual function in cold conditions.

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“…31,32 The influence of sex hormones and phases of the luteal cycle may have explained some of the variation between sexes in younger females although recent data suggest that there are no intramenstrual differences noted in response to cooling the feet. 33 However in our study, it was assumed that the majority of females were postmenopausal (average age of females was 61.4 years, range 34-87), thus hormonal influences were not likely to explain why females, particularly older females, reported improvements in QOL and a more pronounced reduction in negative symptoms, related to cooling. Behaviorally, this sex response in older females could be partially explained by females initiating a cognitive temperature regulation response earlier than males in order to maintain thermal balance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Exploring the influence of a cooling treatment on quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease

Kelechi¹,

Mueller²,

Madisetti³

et al. 2017

CWCMR

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Purpose:The study aimed to evaluate the influence of a self-administered cooling intervention on quality of life (QOL) associated with chronic venous disease (CVD), stages clinical, etiological, anatomical, pathophysiological (CEAP) C4 (skin damage) and C5 (healed ulcer). Study design and subjects: A sample of 276 individuals was randomized to receive a cooling (n=138) or placebo control cuff (n=138) applied to the leg skin affected by CVD. Both groups also received standard of care that included compression, leg elevation, and physical activity. QOL was measured with the venous insufficiency epidemiological and economic study (VEINES)-QOL and symptom (Sym) subscale Questionnaire at 5 time points during the 9-month study. Relationships between treatment outcomes and demographics were analyzed. Results: Cooling and control groups had significant increases from baseline in mean change VEINES-QOL scores (13.5 vs 12.8, p<0.0001) and Sym scores (10.4 vs 6.7, p<0.0001). No significant difference was observed for VEINES-QOL between the groups (Δ =0.67, p=0.58); however, the difference was significant for Sym for cooling (Δ =3.7, p=0.015). Overall QOL improvements were significant for females compared to males (p<0.001), not employed fulltime (p<0.001), living in rural areas (p<0.002), and less effective for larger calf circumference (p=0.042). For age groups ≥65 years, cooling produced significant improvements in QOL (10.8 vs 4.5, p<0.0004); the control group symptoms worsened during the study (-1.0 vs 8.1, p<0.0001). Conclusion: This cooling intervention improved QOL. The greatest improvements were observed in older individuals, females, those who were married, not working full time, and living in rural areas. CVD remains a poorly controlled chronic condition and has a major negative influence on QOL. Keywords: chronic venous disease, quality of life, cooling therapy, negative symptoms, cryotherapy, venous disorders Plain language summaryThe purpose of this study was to determine whether quality of life (QOL) was affected by the use of a cooling cuff to reduce negative symptoms of chronic venous disease (CVD) of the lower legs where the skin was previously ulcerated and/or damaged. Individuals participating in the study received one of two treatments: a cooling cuff made of gel or a "placebo" cuff filled with cotton. The cuffs were kept in the freezer until they were ready to be applied to the affected skin, starting daily for 30 minutes for 30 days, then twice-weekly for 3 months and then weekly for 3 months. Participants also wore compression hosiery during the day and elevated their legs each evening during the treatment. The VEINES Sym/QOL Questionnaire was used to measure QOL. We found that QOL improved in individuals using the cooling cuff compared to those using the cotton cuff; symptoms become worse in the latter group. Greater improvements were reported by females and those 65 years of age and older. Females and those older in age may be more positively susceptible to the effects of cooling to reduce negative...

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Differences in conductive foot cooling: a comparison between males and females

Cited by 14 publications

References 21 publications

Thermosensory micromapping of warm and cold sensitivity across glabrous and hairy skin of male and female hands and feet

Thermosensory micromapping of warm and cold sensitivity across glabrous and hairy skin of male and female hands and feet

Responses of the hands and feet to cold exposure

Exploring the influence of a cooling treatment on quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease

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