Skin temperature for thermal sensation evaluation - is it valid everywhere?

Abstract

The application of skin temperature has significantly contributed to the objective evaluation of thermal sensation, but its limitations make it only a temporary solution. In scenarios with stable core temperature, the unexplained individual differences such as gender, age and region etc. Are actually due to the fact that a single skin temperature cannot characterize thermal sensation in a standard and consistent way, when core temperature and thermal sensitivity should be considered in. In scenarios with dynamic core temperature, such as in researches involving step change in ambient environment, exercise state and stage of falling asleep, it's not appropriate to estimate thermal sensation by single skin temperature neither in intra group nor inter group comparison. Considering the current limitations, this paper proposes a comprehensive thermal sensation evaluation index from the perspective of latest thermo-physiology.