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Physiological and Thermal Responses of MS Patients to Head and Vest Cooling: A Case StudyPersonal cooling systems are used to alleviate symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and to prevent increased core temperature during daily activities. The objective of this study was to determine the operating characteristics and the physiologic changes produced by short term application of the stationary thermal control system used by most clinical institutions. The Life Enhancement Tech (LET) Mark VII portable cooling system and a lightweight Head-vest active cooling garment were used to cool the head and chest regions of 4 male and 3 female MS patients (30 to 66 yrs. old) in this study. The subjects, seated in an upright position at normal room temperature (approx. 24 C), were tested for 60 min. with the liquid cooling garment (LCG) operated at 50 F. Oral, right and left ear temperatures and cooling system parameters were logged manually every 5 min. Arm, leg, chest and rectal temperatures, heart rate, respiration, and an activity index were recorded continuously on a U.F.I., Inc., Biolog ambulatory monitor. All temperature responses showed extreme variation among subjects. The cold-sensitive subject's rectal temperature increased initially in response to cooling; the heat sensitive subject's rectal temperature decreased. After 40 min. of cooling and during recovery, all subjects'rectal temperatures decreased. Oral temperatures began to decrease after 30 min. of cooling. After 60 min. of cooling, temperature drops ranged from approx. 0.3 - 0.8 C. Oral temperatures continued to decrease during recovery (approx. 0.2 C). The car temperature of the heat sensitive subject was increased after cooling, other subjects exhibited an ear temperature decrease (0.0 - 0.5 C). These data indicate that head and vest cooling may be used to reduce the oral temperatures of MS patients by the approximate amount needed for symptomatic relief as shown by other researchers. The combination of a small subject population and a large subject variance does not permit us to draw statistical conclusions about the temperature response of MS patients. An individual's heat or cold sensitivity may influence their thermal response to cooling. This factor should be considered in the prescribed use of liquid cooling garments in the therapeutic management of MS.
Document ID
20020051102
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Luna, Bernadette
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Webbon, Bruce W.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Ku, Yu-Tsuan E.
(Lockheed Martin Engineering and Sciences Co. Moffett Field, CA United States)
Lee, Hank C.
(Lockheed Martin Engineering and Sciences Co. Moffett Field, CA United States)
Montgomery, Leslie D.
(Lockheed Martin Engineering and Sciences Co. Moffett Field, CA United States)
Kliss, Mark
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Meeting Information
Meeting: 1997 Anual Meeting of the Consortium of MS Centers
Location: Alberta
Country: Canada
Start Date: September 5, 1997
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 199-61-00
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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