Possible Thermal Effect on Prevention against Atherosclerosis | Chapter 06 | Current Trends in Medicine and Medical Research Vol. 2
The
local thermal stimulation may have various influences on the skeletal muscles
widely distributed throughout the body. Fomentation is a method of
hyperthermia, and an increase in the local blood flow following local thermal
stimulation affects the entire body Fomentation as a nursing technique is used
mainly for physical and psychological comfort. Its promoting effects on circulation
mainly in the skin and autonomic nervous system, sleep onset, and intestinal
peristalsis have been reported. We have reviewed the evaluation methods using
physiological parameters in fomentation studied by basic or clinical nurses,
and the present status of the studies including the possibility of evaluation
based on the metabolic function. Effects of fomentation were assessed based on
the vital signs, skin surface temperature, skin blood flow, vascular distension
rate, vascular circumference, cerebral blood flow, range of joint motion,
autonomic activity etc. However, there is no established method of effective
fomentation and no consensus has been reached on the influences of local
changes following fomentation.
We
have previously demonstrated an increase in the serum adiponectin level and a
decrease in soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor after the
application of fomentation to femoral part of lower extremities in healthy
people. Furthermore, our transcriptome studies in vitro have indicated that
thermal stimulation of human normal skeletal muscle derived cells gave
significant changes in gene expression related to atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease. Utilization of thermal stimulation over the skeletal
muscle might be prospective tool for prevention against atherosclerosis.
Further studies in vivo are required to determine the thermal effect for
prevention of atherosclerosis in clinical practice.
Biography of author(s)
Hidesuke Kaji, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
in Kobe Women’s University, Emeritus Professor in University of Hyogo.
Division
of Physiology and Metabolism, University of Hyogo, Japan and Division of
Pathophysiology, Kobe Women’s University, Japan.
Masayo Nagai, RN, PHN,
Ph.D.
Former
affiliated institution:
Assistant
Professor in Division of Physiology and Metabolism, University of Hyogo, Japan
and Assistant Professor in Faculty of Nursing, BAIKA Women’s University, Japan.
View Volume: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ctmmr/v2
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