The effects of hydrotherapy on contralateral upper limb blood flow
Item
- Title
- The effects of hydrotherapy on contralateral upper limb blood flow
- Author(s)
- McCabe David L
- Abstract
- This study was designed to test and compare the effects on contralateral upper limb blood flow of two different hydrotherapy treatment modalities, a heating compress applied to the arm and immersion of the hand, both with cold tap water to determine their efficacy for treatment of contralateral upper limb disorders. It was proposed that both the heating compress and the hand immersion would significantly influence contralateral upper limb local blood flow (LSBF) and skin temperature, with measurements recorded by Laser Doppler Flowmetry at the arm and forearm. Twenty-four healthy right-hand dominant male subjects were selected from the student population at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM). A randomly chosen control group of five subjects (mean age 26 years [range 22-32]; mean BMI 23 [range 22-24]) and the remaining nineteen subjects (mean age 26 years [range 19 - 34]; mean BMI 24 [range 22 - 25]) formed the tested group. The heating compress control group had a wrap of the same design applied but had no hydrotherapy intervention. The hand immersion control group had their hand placed in the same position but with no hydrotherapy. Results showed that although no significant difference to contralateral upper limb LSBF or contralateral skin temperature was observed, a non-significant reflex hyperaemia with time was recorded at the contralateral arm (mean LSBF 34.76 - 44.6 BPU) and contralateral forearm (mean LSBF 39.85 - 45.15 BPU) for the heating compress; and also for the hand immersion on the contralateral arm (LSBF 34.75 - 34.1 BPU). However, the contralateral forearm exhibited a slight non-significant reflex vasoconstriction (mean LSBF 40.94 - 40.56 BPU). This study provided for the first time scientific evidence on the effects of a heating compress on circulation. This has important implications for osteopaths, naturopaths and for future research in this area.
- presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 0
- Date Submitted
- 1.1.1970 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 13645
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
McCabe David L, “The effects of hydrotherapy on contralateral upper limb blood flow”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/1112