title: Sternal skin conductance: a reasonable surrogate for hot flash measurement?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to examine the accuracy of a new sternal skin conductance (SSC) device in measuring hot flashes and to assess the acceptability of the device by women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three small descriptive pilot studies were performed using two sequential prototypes of the SSC device developed by an engineering device company in the Midwest. The devices were worn either in a monitored setting for 24 hours or in an ambulatory setting for 5 weeks. During the study period, women recorded hot flashes in a prospective hot flash diary and answered questions about the acceptability of wearing the SSC device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The first prototype was not able to collect any analyzable skin conductance data owing to various malfunction issues, including poor conductance and battery failure. However, 16 women wore the device for 5 weeks and reported that wearing the device was acceptable, although 31% stated that it interfered with daily activities. Hot flash data from the second prototype revealed a 24% concordance rate between self-reported and device-recorded hot flashes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from these studies support discordance between device-recorded and self-reported hot flashes. In addition, the studies reveal further limitations of SSC monitoring, including difficulties with data collection and lack of consistency in interpretation. Based on these results and other recent trials identifying issues with SSC methodology, it is time to find a better physiologic surrogate measure for hot flashes.
authors.affiliation: From the 1Department of Oncology and 2Cancer Center Statistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Deirdre R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Pachman
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Loprinzi
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Novotny
authors.forename: Daniel V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Satele
authors.forename: Breanna M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Linquist
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Barton
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology*; D049690:History, Ancient; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013249:Sternum; D016387:Women's Health