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Silva RKDN, Matias FL, Gonçalves AF, Ferreira JJDA, Andrade PRD. Skin temperature of women: A prospective longitudinal study. J Therm Biol 2023; 118:103741. [PMID: 37944300 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The different phases of a woman's life, such as the reproductive phase and menopause, are points of great hormonal oscillation, especially estrogen and progesterone, which can interfere with skin temperature. OBJECTIVE To describe and compare skin temperatures of women during their physiological menstrual cycle, the use of exogenous hormones and menopause over a period of 28 days. METHOD This is a prospective observational study using a quantitative approach. A total of 45 volunteers participated and were equally allocated into three groups: Exogenous Hormone Group (EHG), Physiological Menstrual Cycle Group (PMCG) and Menopause Group (MG). All were submitted once a week to body composition measurements over a period of 28 days using an InBody 120 bioimpedance scale, and skin temperature using a FLIR model T-360 thermographic camera. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the mean skin temperature of women with a physiological cycle using exogenous hormones and menopause in relation to the evaluation time or between groups. However, younger women had higher temperatures in specific skin regions, such as in the breast, lower abdomen and thigh (P < 0.05) compared to menopausal women. In addition, negative correlations were observed between body fat and skin temperature of the breasts, trunk, abdomen, upper limbs and right lower limb (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION It was observed that the general skin temperature of women is not altered due to exogenous hormones, menstrual cycle phase or menopause, and that skin temperature tends to be lower in regions with an accumulation of adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francilene Lira Matias
- Postgraduate Program in Physical Therapy, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Brazil.
| | - Alessandra Feitosa Gonçalves
- Postgraduate Program in Physical Therapy, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Brazil.
| | | | - Palloma Rodrigues de Andrade
- Postgraduate Program in Physical Therapy, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Brazil.
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Wang X, Zuo G, Liu J, Zhang J, Shi X, Fan X, Li X, Gao Y, Chen H, Liu CZ, She Y. Skin Temperature of Acupoints in Health and Primary Dysmenorrhea Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pain Res 2023; 16:2027-2046. [PMID: 37337608 PMCID: PMC10277027 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s411923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Dysmenorrhea is a common clinical condition and some studies shown that the skin temperature of some acupoints changes in primary dysmenorrhea (PD) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in skin temperature at specific acupoints in PD patients and healthy subjects. Methods The literature for assessing skin temperature at acupoints in PD patients and healthy subjects was searched in eight databases. The literatures obtained from the search was independently screened by two authors, and the quality of the included articles was evaluated using the consensus checklist of the Thermographic Imaging in Sports and Exercise Medicine (TISEM) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) scale. The skin temperature of the relevant acupoints or the difference between the left and right acupoints of the same name was used as the outcome during any period of menstruation. Finally, the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software to evaluate the changes in skin temperature in the related acupoints. Results Seven eligible studies were included, which included 328 patients with PD and 279 healthy subjects. The results of the meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in skin temperature around the Sanyinjiao (SP6)(MD: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.08), Xuehai (SP 10)(MD: -0.07, 95% CI:-0.11, -0.02) and Taixi (KI 3)(MD: 0.06, 95% CI:0.01, 0.11) acupoints between PD and healthy subjects. PD patients also showed a difference in skin temperature at the Taixi (KI 3)(MD: 0.14, 95% CI:0.04, 0.24), Shuiquan (KI 5)(MD: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.03,0.19), Taichong (LR 3)(MD: -0.10, 95% CI: -0.19,-0.01), Diji (SP 8)(MD: -0.09, 95% CI: -0.16, -0.01), and Xuehai (SP 10)(MD: -0.14, 95% CI: -0.23, -0.06) acupoint areas at different times of menstruation compared to that of healthy subjects, as revealed by the subgroup analysis. Conclusion Primary dysmenorrhea patients showed some differences in the skin temperature of the special acupoints are as Sanyinjiao (SP6), Diji (SP 8), Xuehai (SP 10), Shuiquan (KI 5), Taichong (LR 3), and Taixi (KI 3) compared with healthy subjects. Registration Number CRD42022381387.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Wang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guang Zuo
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Liu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
- Hebei International Joint Research Center for Dominant Diseases in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juncha Zhang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
- Hebei International Joint Research Center for Dominant Diseases in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuliang Shi
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
- Hebei International Joint Research Center for Dominant Diseases in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xisheng Fan
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
- Hebei International Joint Research Center for Dominant Diseases in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuxin Li
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanbo Gao
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Chen
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanfen She
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
- Hebei International Joint Research Center for Dominant Diseases in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
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Jiang Y, Hu H, He X, Li X, Zhang Y, Lou J, Wu Y, Fang J, Shao X, Fang J. Specificity for the correlation between the body surface and viscera in the pathological state of COPD: A prospective, controlled, and assessor-blinded trial. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1051190. [PMID: 37153229 PMCID: PMC10159081 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1051190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The association between the body surface and viscera remains obscure, but a better understanding of the body surface-viscera correlation will maximize its diagnostic and therapeutic values in clinical practice. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the specificity of body surface-viscera correlation in the pathological state. Methods: The study subjects included 40 participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the COPD group and 40 age-matched healthy participants in the healthy control group. Laser Doppler flowmetry, infrared thermography, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy were respectively adopted to measure 1) the perfusion unit (PU), 2) temperature, and 3) regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) of four specific sites distributed in the heart and lung meridians. These three outcome measures reflected the microcirculatory, thermal, and metabolic characteristics, respectively. Results: Regarding the microcirculatory and thermal characteristics of the body surface, the PU and temperature of specific sites on the body surface [i.e., Taiyuan (LU9) and Chize (LU5) in the lung meridian] in the COPD group were significantly increased compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05), whereas PU and temperature of other sites in the heart meridian [i.e., Shenmen (HT7) and Shaohai (HT3)] did not change significantly (p > 0.05). Regarding the metabolic characteristics, rSO2 of specific sites in the lung meridian [i.e., Taiyuan (LU9) and Chize (LU5)] and Shaohai (HT3) of the heart meridian in the COPD group was significantly decreased compared with healthy controls (p < 0.01), whereas rSO2 of Shenmen (HT7) in the heart meridian did not change significantly (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In the disease state of COPD, the microcirculatory, thermal, and metabolic characteristics of specific sites on the body surface in the lung meridian generally manifest more significant changes than those in the heart meridian, thereby supporting relative specificity for the body surface-viscera correlation in the pathological state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongliang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hantong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofen He
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yajun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiali Lou
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junfan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Shao
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianqiao Fang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jianqiao Fang,
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Yang E, Lu W, Muñoz-Vergara D, Goldfinger E, Kaptchuk TJ, Napadow V, Ahn AC, Wayne PM. Skin Temperature of Acupoints in Health and Disease: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE 2022; 28:552-568. [PMID: 35475679 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2021.0437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Despite substantial progress made in the field of acupuncture research, the existence and specificity of acupoints remain controversial. In recent years, the concept of acupoint sensitization has emerged as a theoretical framework for understanding acupoints as dynamic functional entities that are sensitized in pathological conditions. Based on this premise, some have claimed that specific acupoints are thermally distinct between healthy and clinical populations, but no systematic review has been conducted to synthesize and evaluate the quality of studies supporting such claims. In this review, we provide a summary and quality assessment of the existing literature addressing the question of whether changes in skin temperature at specific acupoints are indicative of pathological conditions. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and AltHealthWatch (EBSCO Host), by combining variations of search terms relevant to acupoints and temperature. The search was limited to the English language, and publication dates ranged from database inception to December 2020. Two authors independently screened all resulting abstracts and subsequently read full-text articles for eligibility. Information on study design, sample, acupoints, parameters of skin temperature assessments, and main findings were extracted from included studies. Quality of the thermal sensing methodology was evaluated using a thermal assessment checklist, adapted from the Thermographic Imaging in Sports and Exercise Medicine (TISEM) consensus checklist, and a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for case-control studies. Results: The search strategy yielded a total of 1771 studies, of which 10 articles met the eligibility criteria. Eight studies compared skin temperature at acupoints in healthy versus clinical populations, and two studies assessed within-subject changes in temperature of acupoints in relation to changes in health status. There were seven clinical conditions examined in the included studies: chronic bronchial asthma, chronic hepatitis, hyperplasia of mammary glands, infertility, intracranial hypertension, obesity, and primary dysmenorrhea. There were numerous methodological quality issues related to skin temperature measurements. Eight studies with case-control designs reported significant differences between healthy and clinical populations in temperature at certain acupoints. Two studies with pre-post designs reported that changes in health-disease status could be associated with changes in temperature at specific acupoints. Conclusion: A review of the available literature suggests that certain acupoints may be thermally distinct between healthy and unhealthy states. However, given the methodological limitations and heterogeneity across included studies, no definitive conclusion could be drawn as to whether changes in skin temperature at specific acupoints are indicative of pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- EunMee Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Weidong Lu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennis Muñoz-Vergara
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Esme Goldfinger
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ted J Kaptchuk
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vitaly Napadow
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Andrew C Ahn
- PhysioQ Organization, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Veteran Affairs Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, USA
| | - Peter M Wayne
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Childs C, Soltani H. Abdominal Cutaneous Thermography and Perfusion Mapping after Caesarean Section: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E8693. [PMID: 33238522 PMCID: PMC7700549 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Caesarean section (CS) is the most prevalent surgical procedure in women. The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) after CS remains high but recent observations of CS wounds using infrared thermography has shown promise for the technique in SSI prognosis. Although thermography is recognised as a 'surrogate' of skin perfusion, little is known of the relationship between skin temperature and skin perfusion in the context of wound healing. Aim: To assess the extent of literature regarding the application of infrared thermography and mapping of abdominal cutaneous perfusion after CS. Methods: Wide eligibility criteria were used to capture all relevant studies of any design, published in English, and addressing thermal imaging or skin perfusion mapping of the abdominal wall. The CINAHL and MEDLINE databases were searched, with two independent reviewers screening the title and abstracts of all identified citations, followed by full-text screening of relevant studies. Data extraction from included studies was undertaken using a pre-specified data extraction chart. Data were tabulated and synthesised in narrative format. Results: From 83 citations identified, 18 studies were considered relevant. With three additional studies identified from the reference lists, 21 studies were screened via full text. None of the studies reported thermal imaging and cutaneous perfusion patterns of the anterior abdominal wall. However, two observational studies partially met the inclusion criteria. The first explored analysis methodologies to 'interrogate' the abdominal thermal map. A specific thermal signature ('cold spots') was identified as an early 'flag' for SSI risk. A second study, by the same authors, focusing on obesity (a known risk factor for SSI after CS) showed that a 1 °C lower abdominal skin temperature led to a 3-fold odds of SSI. Conclusion: There is a significant gap in knowledge on how to forewarn of wound complications after CS. By utilising the known association between skin temperature and blood flow, thermographic assessment of the wound and adjacent thermal territories has potential as a non-invasive, independent, imaging option with which to identify tissue 'at risk'. By identifying skin 'hot' or 'cold' spots, commensurate with high or low blood flow regions, there is potential to shed light on the underlying mechanisms leading to infective and non-infective wound complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charmaine Childs
- College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, South Yorkshire, UK;
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Kim SH, Jo J, Kim DI. The effectiveness, safety, and economic evaluation of Korean medicine for unexplained infertile women: A multi-center, prospective, observational study protocol. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e9360. [PMID: 29390524 PMCID: PMC5758226 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000009360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Infertility is a condition in which a woman has not been pregnant despite having had normal intercourse for 1 year. The number of unexplained infertile females is increasing because of late marriage customs, as well as environmental and lifestyle habits. In Korea, infertile females have been treated with Korean medicine (KM). However, these effects have not been objectively confirmed through clinical trials. Therefore, this study was conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of herbal medicine treatment in infertile patients and to demonstrate the economic feasibility through economical evaluation with assisted reproductive technology.This study is designed as a multicenter, single-arm clinical trial. All participants included will be from 3 Korean Medicine hospitals in Korea and will voluntarily sign an informed consent agreement. All recruited patients will conduct related surveys and tests, and be provided with treatment according to their menstrual cycle. Patients will take herbal medicines for 4 menstruation cycles and receive acupuncture and moxibustion treatment at 3 times (menstrual cycle day 3, 8, 14) during 4 menstruation cycles. They will also undergo an approximately 4 menstrual cycle treatment period, and 3 menstrual cycle observation period. If pregnant during the study, participants will take the herbal medicine for implantation for about 15 days. In this study, the primary outcome will be the clinical pregnancy rate, whereas the secondary outcome will include the implantation rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, and live birth rate.Ultimately, this study will provide clinical data regarding the effectiveness and safety of KM treatment for females with unexplained infertility and important evidence for establishing standard KM treatments for unexplained infertility. Moreover, we will identify the most cost-effective way to treat unexplained infertility. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER Korean Clinical Trial Registry (CRIS), Republic of Korea: KCT0002235. Date: February 21, 2017 (retrospectively registered).
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Hyun Kim
- Graduate School of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju
| | | | - Dong-Il Kim
- Department of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital of Korean Medicine, Goyang, Republic of Korea
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