The Limitations of Reflex Heating Therapy in the Elderly

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to determine the cutaneous vascular response of 10 elderly men under conditions of reflex heating. It was found, in 38 of 40 observations, that heat (infra-red irradiation) applied to the trunk resulted in a constriction of the skin vessels of the lower extremities in lieu of the expected vasodilatation. This paradoxical reaction is attributed to the possibly defective thermoregulatory mechanism in elderly arteriosclerotic patients. It is concluded that reflex heating, even when applied with necessary precautions, is an unreliable therapeutic method for the aged.This study was made under the auspices of the Unit of Clinical Investigation, Lidcombe Hospital, Lidcombe, New South Wales. The authors gratefully acknowledge the February 1 9 72 REFLEX HEATING IN THE ELDERLY a7 suggestions and advice of Professor R. K. MacPherson, University of Sydney, and the technical assistance of Mr. A.Brock.