title: A comparison of whole body vibration and moist heat on lower extremity skin temperature and skin blood flow in healthy older individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tissue healing is an intricate process that is regulated by circulation. Heat modalities have been shown to improve skin circulation. Recent research supports that passive vibration increases circulation without risk of burns. Study purpose is to compare and determine effects of short duration vibration, moist heat, and a combination of the two on skin blood flow (SBF) and skin temperature (ST) in elderly, non-diabetic individuals following short-term exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten subjects, 3 female and 7 male (55-73 years of age), received two interventions over three days: 1--Active vibration, 2--passive vibration, 3--moist heat, 4--moist heat combined with passive vibration (MHPV), 5--a commercial massaging heating pad, and 6--no intervention. SBF and ST were measured using a MOOR Laser Doppler before and after the intervention and the third measurement were taken 10 minutes following.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean SBF following a ten-minute intervention were significantly different in the combination of moist heat and passive vibration from the control, active vibration, and the commercial massaging heating pad. Compared to baseline measurements, this resulted in mean SBF elevation to 450% (at conclusion of 10 minutes of intervention) and 379% (10 minutes post). MHPV (p=0.02) showed significant changes in ST from the commercial massaging heating pad, passive vibration, and active vibration interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SBF in the lower legs showed greatest increase with MHPV. Interventions should be selected that are low risk while increasing lower extremity skin blood flow.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA. elohman@llu.edu
authors: Everett B
authors: EB
authors: Lohman
authors: Kanikkai Steni Balan
authors: KS
authors: Sackiriyas
authors: Gurinder S
authors: GS
authors: Bains
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Calandra
authors: Crystal
authors: C
authors: Lobo
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Nakhro
authors: Gauri
authors: G
authors: Malthankar
authors: Sherwine
authors: S
authors: Paul
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014732:Vibration