Assessment of Local Cold Tolerance of Individuals by using Conventional and Unconventional Methods Based on Observation of CIVD Reactivity
Abstract
Cold-induced vasodilatation (CIVD), which occurs in fingers and toes exposed to extreme cold, is a defensive reaction of protecting the extremities against frostbite. Yoshimura and Iida (1950) developed a practical method, based on observation of CIVD reactivity, for assessing peripheral resistance against frostbite (local cold tolerance). Thereafter, many studies using this test method to clarify the factors affecting the local cold tolerance, such as occupation, gender, race, environmental temperature, clothing, ambient pressure and cold acclimatization have been conducted. Recent Japanese clinical studies have suggested that this local cold tolerance test is also useful for evaluating the sympathetic skin vasomotor function and a peripheral sensory nerve disturbance. These tests have, however, consisted of a 30-min immersion of fingers in ice water (0 C). Under these test conditions, most of the participants have tended to feel much pain and distress, and some have either fainted or had to withdraw prematurely from the experiment as a result. This means that vulnerable individuals, such as older persons or children, cannot participate in this stressful test. Consequently we proposed a simplified and less painful test for assessing the local cold tolerance (1983, 1984), as a substitute for the conventional test. Here I review some Japanese pioneering studies on factors governing the individual difference of the local cold tolerance which Yoshimura and Iida conducted by using their original method (conventional method). Also I refer to a study on applicability of our modified method (unconventional method) for assessing the local cold tolerance and summarize some of our recent findings on the factors affecting the local cold tolerance obtained by using the unconventional method.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA454798
Entities
People
- Shin-ichi Sawada