Characterization of Corticospinal Excitability During Progressive Skin Cooling

University of Manitoba

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hypothermia Due to Cold Environment

Treatments: Other: Cold Stress

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04253730

E2018:047 (HS21827)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study characterizes the changes in corticospinal excitability that accompany basic cold stress via skin cooling that result in reduced skin or core temperature and shivering.

Full description

Cold stress is known to impair both fine and gross motor movement. Reductions in performance may have life threatening consequences in survival situations where maintenance of muscle control is necessary. Much of the effects cooling has on muscle performance is directly due to its effects on muscle tissue itself, whereas less is known about the effects on the central nervous system. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to characterize corticospinal excitability that accompanies basic cold stress via progressive skin cooling, resulting in reductions in skin (Tsk) or core (Tco) temperature and shivering.

Enrollment: 10 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy adult
• Right Handed
• Pass Magnetic Stimulation Safety Checklist
• Pass Medical Screening Questionnaire

Exclusion criteria

• Left Handed
• Any adverse responses to cold exposure (Raynaud's Syndrome)
• Cardiorespiratory Disease

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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10 participants in 2 patient groups

Control Condition

No Intervention group

Description:

Subjects will sit at rest wearing a liquid perfused suit containing thermoneutral water for 60 min. The suit will not be turned on during this period.

Cold Condition

Experimental group

Description:

Subjects will be cooled for 60-90 min at \~ 4-10°C using a liquid perfused suit. Subjects will then be rewarmed for 30 min at \~ 41°C using the liquid perfused suit.

Treatment:

Other: Cold Stress