Abstract
Some assessment and diagnosis methods require palpation or the application of certain forces on the skin, which affects the structures beneath, we highlight the importance of defining possible influences on skin temperature as a result of this physical contact. Thus, the aim of the present study is to determine the ideal time for performing thermographic examination after palpation based on the assessment of skin temperature evolution. Randomized and crossover study carried out with 15 computer-user volunteers of both genders, between 18 and 45 years of age, who were submitted to compressive forces of 0, 1, 2 and 3 kg/cm2 for 30 seconds with a washout period of 48 hours using a portable digital dynamometer. Compressive forces were applied on the following spots on the dominant upper limb: myofascial trigger point in the levator scapulae, biceps brachii muscle and palmaris longus tendon. Volunteers were examined by means of infrared thermography before and after the application of compressive forces (15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes). In most comparisons made over time, a significant decrease was observed 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the application of compressive forces (p < 0.05) on the palmaris longus tendon and biceps brachii muscle. However, no difference was observed when comparing the different compressive forces (p > 0.05). In conclusion, infrared thermography can be used after assessment or diagnosis methods focused on the application of forces on tendons and muscles, provided the procedure is performed 15 minutes after contact with the skin. Regarding to the myofascial trigger point, the thermographic examination can be performed within 60 minutes after the contact with the skin.
Highlights
Infrared thermography is a technique with health sciences applications that is used in measuring skin temperature [1,2]
Force-by-time interaction was not observed for the palmaris longus tendon (F3,11 = 0.211, p = 0.958), biceps brachii muscle (F3,11 = 0.887, p = 0.550) or myofascial trigger point of the levator scapulae (F3,11 = 0.084, p = 0.993)
In most comparisons made over time, a significant decrease was observed 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the application of compressive forces (p < 0.05) on the palmaris longus tendon and biceps brachii muscle
Summary
Infrared thermography is a technique with health sciences applications that is used in measuring skin temperature [1,2]. It is a noninvasive and painless method that does not require any PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0129034. Skin Temperature and Compressive Forces contact with the body region being assessed. It is based on the emission of infrared radiation by bodies with temperatures above absolute zero, providing an image of the thermal distribution in the body in order to measure temperature [2,3]. Recent clinical trials reported the use of infrared thermography before and after the application of physiotherapy resources [9,10,11]
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