Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T03:33:07.587Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Reactions to Cold Exposure Emphasize the Need for Weather Protection in Prehospital Care: An Experimental Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Niina S. Lintu ,
M. Health ,
Matti A.K. Mattila ,
Jaana A. Holopainen ,
Mari Koivunen  and
Osmo O.P. Hänninen
Niina S. Lintu
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedicine/Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, Finland
M. Health
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedicine/Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, Finland
Matti A.K. Mattila*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedicine/Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, Finland
Jaana A. Holopainen
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedicine/Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, Finland
Mari Koivunen
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedicine/Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, Finland
Osmo O.P. Hänninen
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedicine/Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, Finland
*
Puolukkatie 11, FIN70280 Kuopio, Finland E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Introduction:

Exposure to cold temperature is a serious but often neglected problem in prehospital care. It not only is an uncomfortable, subjective experience, but it also can cause severe disturbances in vital functions, gradually leading to hypothermia.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to examine healthy subjects'physiological and subjective reactions to cold exposure (30 minutes at -5°C in the a climatic chamber) while they were lying in a protective covering.

Methods:

Healthy volunteers (n = 20) participated in the experiment, which consisted of a 10-minute stabilization period of vital functions at room temperature (23°C), 30 minutes of cold exposure (-5°C), and a 30-minute recovery period at room temperature. Subjects lay supinely in protective covering during the entire experiment. Skin temperatures, oxygen saturation, pulse rates, pulse wave amplitude in the middle finger, and surface electromyography (EMG) activity of the major pectoral muscle were recorded continuously during the test. Before and immediately after the cold exposure, tympanic membrane temperatures were measured. In addition, subjects were asked to estimate cold using a standard scale.

Results:

During the cold exposure, the decrease in tympanic membrane temperature was not significant.The pulse wave amplitude in the finger decreased sharply upon entering the cold chamber. Skin temperatures, especially of the fingers and toes, decreased during the cold exposure.There were no clear signs of shivering in electromyographic recordings. Subjective cold feelings followed decreasing skin temperatures. Skin temperatures did not return quickly. Even 30 minutes after the exposure, all the skin temperatures still had not returnedto normal levels.However, subjective cold feeling was relieved immediately.

Conclusions:

Cold exposure provoked immediate protective vasoconstriction in the peripheral compartment, which caused linear decreases of local skin temperatures. This probably was triggered from the unprotected face and upper respiratory areas.

Keywords

cold exposureelectromyographhypothermiaperceived coldprotective coveringpulse ratepulse wave amplitudetympanic and skin temperaturesvasoconstriction
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 21 , Issue 5 , October 2006 , pp. 316 - 320
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Mize, J, Koziol-McLain, J, Lowenstein, SR: The forgotten vital sign: Temperature patterns and associations in 642 trauma patients at an urban level I trauma center. J Emerg Nurs 1993;19(4):303–305.Google ScholarPubMed
2.Husum, H, Olsen, T, Murad, M, Heng, YV, Wisborg, T, Gilbert, M: Preventing post-injury hypothermia during prolonged prehospital evacuation. Prehosp Disast Med 2002;17(1):23–26.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Seekamp, A, Ziegler, M, Van Griensven, M, Grotz, M, Regel, G: The role of hypothermia in trauma patients. Eur J Emerg Med 1995;2(1):28–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Mattila, M, Immonen, A, Holopainen, J: Neglected protection against weather influences during mass-casualty incidents: Lessons learned in field exercises. Prehosp Disast Med 2005;20(2):s88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Peng, RY, Bongard, FS: Hypothermia in trauma patients. J Am Coll Surg 1999;188(6):685–696.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Bokenes, L, Alexandersen, TE, Osterud, B, Tveita, T, Mercer, JB: Physiological and haematological responses to cold exposure in the elderly. Int J Circumpolar Health 2000;59(3–4):216–221.Google ScholarPubMed
7.Bokenes, L, Alexandersen, TE, Tveita, T, Osterud, B, Mercer, JB: Physiological and hematological responses to cold exposure in young subjects. Int J Circumpolar Health 2004;63(2):115–128.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Kamitani, K, Higuchi, A, Takebayashi, T, Miyamoto, Y, Yoshida, H: Covering the head and face maintains intraoperative core temperature. Can J Anaesth 1999;46(7):649–652.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Borg, G: Psychological bases of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1982;14:377–381.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Kistler, A, Mariauzouls, C, von Berlepsch, K: Fingertip temperature as anindicator for sympathetic responses. Int J Psychophysiol 1998;29(1):35–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Allen, MT, Shelley, KS, Boquet, AJ: A comparison of cardiovascular and autonomic adjustments to three types of cold stimulation tasks. Int J Psychophysiol 1992;13(1):59–69.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Heindl, S, Struck, J, Wellhoner, P, Sayk, F, Dodt, C: Effect of facial cooling and cold air inhalation on sympathetic nerve activity in men. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2004;142(1):69–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Violani, C, Lombardo, C: Peripheral temperature changes during rest and gender differences in thermal biofeedback. J Psychosom Res 2003;54(4):391–397.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed