title: Wavelet analysis of skin perfusion to assess the effects of FREMS therapy before and after occlusive reactive hyperemia.
abstract: Laser Doppler Fluxmetry is used to evaluate the hemodynamics of skin microcirculation. Laser Doppler signals contain oscillations due to fluctuations of microvascular perfusion. By performing spectral analysis, six frequency intervals from 0.005 to 2 Hz have been identified and assigned to distinct cardiovascular structures: heart, respiration, vascular myocites, sympathetic terminations and endothelial cells (dependent and independent on nitric oxide). Transcutaneous electrical pulses are currently applied to treat several diseases, i.e. neuropathies and chronic painful leg ulcers. Recently, FREMS (Frequency Rhythmic Electrical Modulation System) has been applied to vasculopathic patients, too. In this study Laser Doppler signals of skin microcirculation were measured in five patients with intermittent claudication, before and after the FREMS therapy. Changes in vascular activities were assessed by wavelet transform analysis. Preliminary results demonstrate that FREMS induces alterations in vascular activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefan Octavian
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Popa
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: UOC of Angiology, "Azienda Ospedale" University of Padova, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Andreozzi
authors.affiliation: UOC of Angiology, "Azienda Ospedale" University of Padova, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Romeo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy. Electronic address: andrea.bagno@unipd.it.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagno
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000379:methods*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D012146:Rest; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D058067:Wavelet Analysis
keywords: Microcirculation; Transcutaneous electric stimulation; Wavelet transform