ArticlePloS one2024
An evaluation of the effects of localised skin cooling on microvascular, inflammatory, structural, and perceptual responses to sustained mechanical loading of the sacrum: A study protocol.
Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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The trial behind it
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Short-duration phase-change material cryotherapy selectively enhances early neuromuscular and perceptual recovery.PloS one · 2026Trial
- Early dye laser treatment of hypertrophic sternotomy scars with prominent vascular component.JPRAS open · 2026Article
- Skin Epidermal and Microvascular Properties at the Sacrum and Heel Assessed with Optical Coherence Tomography.Skin pharmacology and physiology · 2026Article
- Repeated Pressure and Shear Stress at the Posterior Heel Following Localized Skin Cooling: Protocol for a Repeated Measures Cohort Study.JMIR research protocols · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
This study protocol aims to investigate how localised cooling influences the skin's microvascular, inflammatory, structural, and perceptual tolerance to sustained mechanical loading at the sacrum, evaluating factors such as morphology, physiology, and perceptual responses. The protocol will be tested on individuals of different age, sex, skin tone and clinical status, using a repeated-measure design with three participants cohorts: i) young healthy (n = 35); ii) older healthy (n = 35); iii) spinal cord injured (SCI, n = 35). Participants will complete three testing sessions during which their sacrum will be mechanically loaded (60 mmHg; 45 min) and unloaded (20 min) with a custom-built thermal probe, causing pressure-induced ischemia and post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia. Testing sessions will differ by the probe's temperature, which will be set to either 38°C (no cooling), 24°C (mild cooling), or 16°C (strong cooling). We will measure skin blood flow (via Laser Doppler Flowmetry; 40 Hz); pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in skin sebum (Sebutape); structural skin properties (Optical Coherence Tomography); and ratings of thermal sensation, comfort, and acceptance (Likert Scales); throughout the loading and unloading phases. Changes in post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia will be considered as the primary outcome and data will be analysed for the independent and interactive effects of stimuli's temperature and of participant group on within- and between-subject mean differences (and 95% Confidence Intervals) in peak hyperaemia, by means of a 2-way mixed model ANOVA (or Friedman). Regression models will also be developed to assess the relationship between absolute cooling temperatures and peak hyperaemia. Secondary outcomes will be within- and between-subject mean changes in biomarkers' expression, skin structural and perceptual responses. This analysis will help identifying physiological and perceptual thresholds for the protective effects of cooling from mechanically induced damage underlying the development of pressure ulcers in individuals varying in age and clinical status.
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