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Nobuhisa O1, Wataru H1, Ayano S1, Ryoga S1, Hiroki Y1, Hisashi N1
1Shonan University of Medical Sciences, Yokohama-shi, Japan
Background: In recent years, one particular study reported that thermotherapy made a significant difference in the balance ability of a group of healthy males. However, thermotherapy has not yet been put to practical use for fall prevention.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between dynamic balance ability and surface temperature of the skin, after applying a hot pack to the sole of the foot, in healthy adults, as well as to investigate the potential clinical application of this technique for healthy elderly individuals.
Methods: Thirty-nine healthy adults were recruited for the study. A dry hot pack heated in hot water at 80°C[A1] was applied to the sole of the foot. Participants were divided into two groups based on intervention time: 5 minutes (21 adults, average age 19.4 years) and 10 minutes (18 adults, average age 21.04 years), in which the hot pack was applied to the foot for 5 minutes and 10 minutes, respectively. To evaluate the effects, the surface temperature and balance ability were measured, with the latter evaluated by means of the index of postural stability (IPS). The surface temperature was measured at 1 minute intervals beginning at 5 minutes before application of the hot pack and ending at 10 minutes after the application of the hot pack was complete. Balance ability was measured thrice: 5 minutes before application of the hot pack, immediately after application of the hot pack was complete, and 10 minutes after application of the hot pack. The room temperature was set at 26°C.
Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance (repeated measurements). For this analysis, the average value of measurements taken between 5 minutes before application of the hot pack and immediately before intervention was considered “before intervention.” The average value of measurements taken between 1 minute and 5 minutes (for the 5-minute group) or 10 minutes (for the 10-minute group) during application of a hot pack was designated “during intervention.” The average value of measurements taken 1 to 10 minutes after application was designated “after intervention. [A1]In American English, there is usually no space between the value and units of degrees.
Results: In both intervention groups, the surface temperature was significantly higher during intervention and after intervention than before intervention, and it was significantly lower after intervention than during intervention. There was no significant difference in IPS in the 5-minute intervention group. In the 10-minute treatment group, IPS was significantly higher immediately after intervention (1.54 ± 0.19) and 10 minutes after intervention(1.58 ± 0.16) than before intervention (1.45 ± 0.19), and was also significantly higher 10 minutes after intervention than immediately after intervention.
Conclusion(s): In the 10-minute intervention group, both balance ability and surface temperature increased immediately after intervention and 10 minutes after intervention.
Implications: Application of a hot pack for 10 minutes to improve the balance ability may have the same effect in elderly people at high risk for falling, suggesting that hot packs may be a potential method for fall prevention.
Keywords: Hot pack, balance ability, surface temperature
Funding acknowledgements: We don´t have a funding acknowledgements.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between dynamic balance ability and surface temperature of the skin, after applying a hot pack to the sole of the foot, in healthy adults, as well as to investigate the potential clinical application of this technique for healthy elderly individuals.
Methods: Thirty-nine healthy adults were recruited for the study. A dry hot pack heated in hot water at 80°C[A1] was applied to the sole of the foot. Participants were divided into two groups based on intervention time: 5 minutes (21 adults, average age 19.4 years) and 10 minutes (18 adults, average age 21.04 years), in which the hot pack was applied to the foot for 5 minutes and 10 minutes, respectively. To evaluate the effects, the surface temperature and balance ability were measured, with the latter evaluated by means of the index of postural stability (IPS). The surface temperature was measured at 1 minute intervals beginning at 5 minutes before application of the hot pack and ending at 10 minutes after the application of the hot pack was complete. Balance ability was measured thrice: 5 minutes before application of the hot pack, immediately after application of the hot pack was complete, and 10 minutes after application of the hot pack. The room temperature was set at 26°C.
Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance (repeated measurements). For this analysis, the average value of measurements taken between 5 minutes before application of the hot pack and immediately before intervention was considered “before intervention.” The average value of measurements taken between 1 minute and 5 minutes (for the 5-minute group) or 10 minutes (for the 10-minute group) during application of a hot pack was designated “during intervention.” The average value of measurements taken 1 to 10 minutes after application was designated “after intervention. [A1]In American English, there is usually no space between the value and units of degrees.
Results: In both intervention groups, the surface temperature was significantly higher during intervention and after intervention than before intervention, and it was significantly lower after intervention than during intervention. There was no significant difference in IPS in the 5-minute intervention group. In the 10-minute treatment group, IPS was significantly higher immediately after intervention (1.54 ± 0.19) and 10 minutes after intervention(1.58 ± 0.16) than before intervention (1.45 ± 0.19), and was also significantly higher 10 minutes after intervention than immediately after intervention.
Conclusion(s): In the 10-minute intervention group, both balance ability and surface temperature increased immediately after intervention and 10 minutes after intervention.
Implications: Application of a hot pack for 10 minutes to improve the balance ability may have the same effect in elderly people at high risk for falling, suggesting that hot packs may be a potential method for fall prevention.
Keywords: Hot pack, balance ability, surface temperature
Funding acknowledgements: We don´t have a funding acknowledgements.
Topic: Electrophysical & isothermal agents; Primary health care; Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Shonan Univercity of Medical Sciences
Ethics committee: Shonan Univercity of Medical Sciences Research ethics review committee
Ethics number: 医大研倫第17-002号
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
