Evolution of Skin Temperature after the Application of Compressive Forces on Tendon, Muscle and Myofascial Trigger Point

Abstract

Some assessment and diagnosis methods require palpation or the application of certain forces on the skin, which affects the structures beneath, we highlight the importance of defining possible influences on skin temperature as a result of this physical contact. Thus, the aim of the present study is to determine the ideal time for performing thermographic examination after palpation based on the assessment of skin temperature evolution. Randomized and crossover study carried out with 15 computer-user volunteers of both genders, between 18 and 45 years of age, who were submitted to compressive forces of 0, 1, 2 and 3 kg/cm2 for 30 seconds with a washout period of 48 hours using a portable digital dynamometer. Compressive forces were applied on the following spots on the dominant upper limb: myofascial trigger point in the levator scapulae, biceps brachii muscle and palmaris longus tendon. Volunteers were examined by means of infrared thermography before and after the application of compressive forces (15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes). In most comparisons made over time, a significant decrease was observed 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the application of compressive forces (p < 0.05) on the palmaris longus tendon and biceps brachii muscle. However, no difference was observed when comparing the different compressive forces (p > 0.05). In conclusion, infrared thermography can be used after assessment or diagnosis methods focused on the application of forces on tendons and muscles, provided the procedure is performed 15 minutes after contact with the skin. Regarding to the myofascial trigger point, the thermographic examination can be performed within 60 minutes after the contact with the skin.

Biomedical musculoskeletal applications of infrared thermal imaging on arm and forearm: A systematic review

“…Trends and future approaches of IRT for arm and forearm health assessment include several challenges, such as conducting thermal studies with larger, broader and more diverse populations, acquire reference data to assist the thermogram analysis before, during and after physical activities and create databases for the validation of predictive thermal models of the human skin (Magalhaes et al, 2015;Chang et al, 2015;Boguszewski et al, 2015;Rossignoli et al, 2016).…”

“…Furthermore, IRT was applied in the evaluation of methodologies used in arm and forearm physical assessment procedures and ergonomics. For instance, Magalhaes et al (2015) chose IRT to record the skin temperature evolution of the biceps brachii (in healthy participants) after the application of compressive forces in the muscle. Significant decrease of arms' surface temperature was observed, after using dynamometer as a tool to measure compression force.…”

Confiabilidade do limiar térmico doloroso por meio do <i>Quantitative Sensory Testing</i> e suas correlações sobre pontos gatilhos miofasciais em indivíduos com dor cervical crônica

“…Para a coleta, o local do exame estava sem a presença de equipamentos elétricos geradores de calor, sem incidência de ar ou luz solar e iluminado por lâmpadas fluorescentes. Antes da realização deste exame, os voluntários permaneceram durante um período de 15 minutos no ambiente com temperatura controlada (22 ±2 ºC) para aclimatação (Magalhães et al, 2015).…”

Efeito da terapia de fotobiomodulação por Diodo Emissor de Luz (LED) nas capacidades de força e resistência de atletas de ciclismo

“…Para a avaliação termográfica, os atletas foram instruídos a evitar nas 24 horas antecedentes ao exame: banho quente, prática de exercícios vigorosos, uso de cremes ou pomadas e ingestão de alimentos estimulantes como, cafeína, nicotina e chocolate. Para a captação da imagem basal, os atletas permaneceram sentados por 15 minutos, em ambiente com temperatura controlada à 22º ±2º C (Magalhães et al, 2015) com iluminação fluorescente, sem irradiação de luz solar direta ou presença de equipamentos geradores de calor.…”

“…Durante a captação das imagens os atletas permaneceram em posição ortostática, e o local fotografado livre de roupas. Foi utilizada uma câmera térmica modelo T300 (FLIR® Magalhães et al, (2015). Foi estabelecida emissividade de 0,98 (Ammer, 2008).…”