A comparison of the effect of a variety of thermal and vibratory modalities on skin temperature and blood flow in healthy volunteers

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundCirculation plays an essential role in tissue healing. Moist heat and warm water immersion have been shown to increase skin circulation; however, these heating modalities can cause burns. Recent research has shown that passive vibration can also increase circulation but without the risk of burns.Material/MethodsThe aim of this study is to compare the effects of short-duration vibration, moist heat, and a combination of the two on skin blood flow (SBF) and skin temperature (ST). Ten (10) subjects, 5 female and 5 male, aged 20–30 years of age, received two interventions a day for 3 consecutive days: Intervention 1 – Active vibration only (vibration exercise), Intervention 2 – passive vibration only, Intervention 3 – moist heat only, Intervention 4 – passive vibration combined with moist heat, Intervention 5 – a commercial massaging heating pad, and Intervention 6 – no intervention, resting in supine only (control). SBF and ST were measured using a laser Doppler imager during the 10 minute intervention and then throughout the nine minute recovery period.ResultsThe mean skin blood flow following a ten-minute intervention of the combination of passive vibration and moist heat was significantly different from the control, active vibration, and the commercial massaging heating pad. Skin temperature following the ten-minute interventions of moist heat alone and passive vibration alone were both significantly different from the commercial massaging heating pad and active vibration interventions.ConclusionsThe combination of passive vibration and moist heat produced the greatest increase in skin blood flow and the second highest increase in skin blood flow nine minutes post application.

A systematic review of studies investigating the effects of controlled whole‐body vibration intervention on peripheral circulation

“…Only 7 studies reported the experiment room temperature which ranged between 21 and 25°C (Hazell et al ., ; Lohman et al ., ; Lohman et al ., ; Lohman et al ., ; Manimmanakorn et al ., ; Seixas et al ., ; Sonza et al ., ). An adaptation period of 5 (Lythgo et al .…”

“…For the included studies, we calculated the unweighted vibration acceleration level widely ranging between 2·46 m s −2 r.m.s. (Lythgo et al ., ) and 295·79 (Lohman et al ., ; Lohman et al ., ) m s −2 r.m.s. Among these studies, only 6 studies reported own‐calculated peak acceleration level for the applied vibration (Kerschan‐Schindl et al ., ; Lohman et al ., ; Lohman et al ., ; Lythgo et al ., ; Manimmanakorn et al ., ; Menéndez et al., ); we observed a large discrepancy between the levels of the reported vibration acceleration and our calculated vibration acceleration for those studies except the studies by Kerschan‐Schindl et al .…”

Acute effects of simultaneous electromyostimulation and vibration on leg blood flow in spinal cord injury

“…This result is in consonance with other studies in which the vibration stimulus alone (50 Hz, 5-6 mm) was not sufficient to increase the ST after 10 min of application in healthy individuals. 20,35 Interestingly, despite no change in ST, a 10-min bout of WBV (26 Hz -6 mm) increased muscle temperature by 1.5°C in young adults. 36 However, in previous studies, 35,37 vibration applied directly to the skin surface of the resting extremity (passive vibration) was effective to increase skin blood flow and ST against standing on the platform (active vibration).…”

“…20,35 Interestingly, despite no change in ST, a 10-min bout of WBV (26 Hz -6 mm) increased muscle temperature by 1.5°C in young adults. 36 However, in previous studies, 35,37 vibration applied directly to the skin surface of the resting extremity (passive vibration) was effective to increase skin blood flow and ST against standing on the platform (active vibration). Of note, a large area of the extremity directly exposed to passive vibration may account for the local increase in ST.…”

Jellyfish Stings and Their Management: A Review

“…Moreover, although hot water appears to be an effective treatment for pain [71], its use might be questionable, as the greatest hazard from C. fleckeri venom is a cardiotoxin [32,62]. Since the latter toxin can be carried directly and quickly into the circulatory system, applied heat may increase the blood flow, therefore resulting in increased severity of the cardiotoxic effects [72]. Carrette [70] appropriately concluded that if the sting is minor or unnoticed and systemic symptoms have already developed, heat application may be useless.…”