Uncomfortable Sensations Research Articles

Associations of discomfort intolerance, discomfort avoidance, and cannabis and alcohol use among persons with chronic pain receiving prescription buprenorphine for opioid use disorder

BackgroundChronic pain and non-prescribed substance use are associated with lower retention in opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. We examined the associations of perceived capacity to tolerate uncomfortable physical sensations (discomfort intolerance and discomfort avoidance) and cannabis and alcohol use among persons with chronic pain receiving prescription buprenorphine for OUD. MethodsThis study utilizes baseline data from 163 persons with chronic pain receiving prescription buprenorphine for OUD enrolled in the Treating Opioid use, Persistent Pain, and Sadness (TOPPS) intervention trial. We used negative-binomial regression models, adjusted for age, education, gender, race/ethnicity, pain interference, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and average cigarettes smoked/day to estimate the associations of discomfort tolerance and discomfort avoidance with frequency of cannabis and alcohol use. ResultsParticipants (n=163) were on average 45 years old (standard deviation=10.6) and predominantly White (86 %, n=141). Forty-one percent (n=66) used cannabis and 24 % (n=30) used alcohol use in the past 30 days. In adjusted models, discomfort intolerance was positively associated with days of cannabis use (IRR = 1.11, p =.016) and days of alcohol use (IRR = 1.14, p =.022). Discomfort avoidance was not associated with cannabis or alcohol use. ConclusionIndividuals with chronic pain receiving prescribed buprenorphine for treatment of OUD with lower tolerance for physical discomfort may augment pain management with cannabis and alcohol. Given the intersections between substance use and retention in care for OUD, future work should extend this preliminary work by exploring these relationships over time and in experimental settings.Clinical Trial # NCT03698669

Trajectories of negative affect prior to and following disordered eating behaviors among women with eating disorder pathology: An examination of the role of state-interoception

ObjectiveAffect regulation theories of eating disorders (ED) posit that negative affect increases in the hours before and decreases following disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) in daily life, yet findings from studies assessing affective changes post-DEBs are mixed. This inconsistency may be due to the previously unassessed role of other transdiagnostic processes in these associations, such as interoception (the ability to sense and integrate information from bodily sensations). To address this research gap, the present study examined whether different interoception dimensions moderated negative affect trajectories surrounding DEBs in the natural environment. Method150 women with ED pathology (Mage = 21.0, SD = 4.1) completed 4 surveys targeting affect and DEBs each day for a 10-day ecological momentary assessment period. Polynomial multilevel models examined negative affect trajectories pre- and post-DEBs (dietary restriction, overeating, loss of control eating), and whether these trajectories varied based on daily interoception dimensions (not distracting, self-regulation, body listening and trust). ResultsNegative affect increased prior to loss of control eating—but not dietary restriction or overeating—and decreased following all DEBs. Further, the magnitude of the decrease in negative affect that emerged post-dietary restriction decreased in strength as daily “not distracting” interoception increased. The other interoception dimensions did not moderate negative affect trajectories surrounding DEBs. ConclusionsAllowing oneself to experience (vs. distract from) uncomfortable bodily sensations may weaken affect dysregulation processes that follow dietary restriction in daily life and are theorized to maintain DEBs. These results provide insight that may strengthen EDs theories, research, and inform interoception-focused interventions.

Genomic Analysis Identifies Risk Factors in Restless Legs Syndrome.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological condition that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them, typically during periods of rest. The genetic basis and pathophysiology of RLS are incompletely understood. We sought to identify additional novel genetic risk factors associated with RLS susceptibility. We performed a whole-genome sequencing and genome-wide association meta-analysis of RLS cases (n = 9,851) and controls (n = 38,957) in 3 population-based biobanks (All of Us, Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, and CARTaGENE). Genome-wide association analysis identified 9 independent risk loci, of which 8 had been previously reported, and 1 was a novel risk locus (LMX1B, rs35196838, OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.09-1.19, p value = 2.2 × 10-9). Furthermore, a transcriptome-wide association study also identified GLO1 and a previously unreported gene, ELFN1. A genetic correlation analysis revealed significant common variant overlaps between RLS and neuroticism (rg = 0.40, se = 0.08, p value = 5.4 × 10-7), depression (rg = 0.35, se = 0.06, p value = 2.17 × 10-8), and intelligence (rg = -0.20, se = 0.06, p value = 4.0 × 10-4). Our study expands the understanding of the genetic architecture of RLS, and highlights the contributions of common variants to this prevalent neurological disorder. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:994-1005.

Enhancing Awareness and Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Medical Professionals and Athletes

Introduction and objective: The objective of this research is to enhance the awareness of carpal tunnel among medical professionals and individuals engaged in sports. The acquired knowledge will enable medical professionals to more effectively identify, treat, and prevent issues related to carpal tunnel. Additionally, individuals engaged in sports will be able to prevent the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome in themselves or their pupils, thereby allowing them to engage in long-term and safe physical activity. Review methods: Review and summary of research studies available in open-source format on Google Scholar, PubMed. Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disease belonging to the group of compression neuropathies. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome typically manifest as an uncomfortable sensation in the thumb, index finger, and half of the ring finger. Such symptoms may include numbness and tingling. In some cases, weakness of the hand muscles may occur, and in rarer instances, atrophy of the hand muscles. The condition of carpal tunnel syndrome is primarily the result of repetitive movements of the fingers and wrist. Such activities include typing, using a mouse, riding a bicycle, or playing a musical instrument. Summary: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a prevalent condition among the general population. This condition may affect individuals who engage in regular physical activity, resulting in diminished efficiency and a notable reduction in the quality of life. The objective of this study is to examine the risk factors, symptoms, and diagnostic methods associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. In the context of sports, we will examine the mechanisms of disease development in athletes and focus on prevention. This encompasses the rehabilitation of individuals at risk of developing the disease and patient education, which will facilitate the minimisation of the appearance or recurrence of disease symptoms.

“Niclosamide: A potential antipruritic agent by modulating serotonin pathway through metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs)”

Pruritus is an uncomfortable sensation induced by various pruritogens, including serotonin. Serotonin, acting as an inflammatory mediator, can activate a histamine-independent pathway. Consequently, many anti-pruritus medications, such as antihistamines, are not effective in adequately relieving patient symptoms. Niclosamide, an anthelmintic drug, has recently demonstrated an affinity for Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). mGluRs are a group of receptors activated by glutamate, and they are involved in regulating neuronal excitability. In this study, we utilized mouse models of serotonergic itch and administered different doses of Niclosamide to examine the expression of mGluR1, mGluR5, and 5-HT2. The administration of 5 mg/kg Niclosamide successfully suppressed pruritus in the mice. Additionally, the levels of mGluR1, mGluR5, 5-HT2, and TRPV1 were significantly reduced. These findings suggest that Niclosamide holds promise as a potential antipruritic drug.

Not just cybersickness: short-term effects of popular VR game mechanics on physical discomfort and reaction time

Uncomfortable sensations that arise during virtual reality (VR) use have always been among the industry’s biggest challenges. While certain VR-induced effects, such as cybersickness, have garnered a lot of interest from academia and industry over the years, others have been overlooked and underresearched. Recently, the research community has been calling for more holistic approaches to studying the issue of VR discomfort. Focusing on active VR gaming, our article presents the results of two user studies with a total of 40 participants. Incorporating state-of-the-art VR-specific measures (the Simulation Task Load Index—SIM-TLX, Cybersickness Questionnaire—CSQ, Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire—VRSQ) into our methodology, we examined workload, musculoskeletal discomfort, device-related discomfort, cybersickness, and changes in reaction time following VR gameplay. Using a set of six different active VR games (three per study), we attempted to quantify and compare the prevalence and intensity of VR-induced symptoms across different genres and game mechanics. Varying between individuals, as well as games, the diverse symptoms reported in our study highlight the importance of including measures of VR-induced effects other than cybersickness into VR gaming user studies, while questioning the suitability of the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ)—arguably the most prevalent measure of VR discomfort in the field—for use with active VR gaming scenarios.

The Frequency and Associated Factors of Restless Leg Syndrome among Pregnant Women in 3rd Trimester

Background: Restless leg syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is characterized by an uncomfortable sensation in the legs, often occurring at the onset of sleep, which triggers an irrepressible urge to move the legs. This condition is particularly prevalent among pregnant women, with symptoms typically worsening during the third trimester. Despite its impact, many pregnant women are unaware of RLS, attributing their discomfort to normal pregnancy symptoms. Objective: To assess the frequency and associated factors of RLS in pregnant females during the third trimester and to evaluate its impact on their quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 250 pregnant females in their third trimester, recruited from Shalimar Hospital, Nawaz Sharif Hospital, Zahida Welfare Trust, Alshad Clinic, Ali Hospital, Ahsan Hospital, Nargis Clinic, Manawa Government Hospital, and Sultan Medical Center. Participants aged 15-45 years were included, while those with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus were excluded. Data were collected using structured questionnaires incorporating the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Ethical approval was obtained, and the study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki principles. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics, frequencies, and graphical representations employed to summarize and analyze the data. Results: The mean age of participants was 26.32 years (SD = 5.08). The prevalence of RLS in the third trimester was found to be 89.2%. The age group most affected was 18-23 years. Factors associated with RLS included inadequate calcium intake (40.4%), insufficient daily water intake (40.4%), poor food intake (48%), mood disturbances (89.2%), lack of movement or light exercise (78%), caffeine consumption (16%), disturbances in sexual activities (48%), and disruption in daily activities (45.2%). Conclusion: RLS is highly prevalent among pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester, significantly impacting their quality of life. Despite its prevalence, many women remain unaware of RLS, mistaking it for typical pregnancy discomfort. Raising awareness and implementing screening and management strategies during prenatal care could improve the quality of life for affected women.

Crossmodal compensation: Sensory discomfort affects consumer preferences across modalities

AbstractConsumers are frequently exposed to uncomfortable sensory circumstances (e.g., hot weather and noise pollution), yet little research has examined how such discomfort might systematically shape preferences. Drawing from research on crossmodal associations, we propose and empirically support a discomfort‐driven crossmodal compensation effect in which consumers exposed to uncomfortable atmospheric sensations in one modality (e.g., loud noise) compensate through product choices across other modalities (e.g., choosing visually “quiet” products). Across five studies, we document the consequences of this phenomenon on actual (studies 1 and 2) and hypothetical (studies 3, 4, and 5) consumer choices and preferences. Further, we demonstrate that a desire to reduce sensory discomfort drives this crossmodal compensation effect, and the spillover only manifests when individuals are unable to adjust within the initially disturbed modality. Our research contributes to the literature on goal theory and crossmodal associations by demonstrating that discomfort experienced in one modality can systematically affect product preferences in other modalities.

Establishing the Law of Parsimony in a Case of Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common movement disorder characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the lower limbs relieved by limb movements. Clinical studies have established a possible association between RLS and vitamin B12 deficiency but not a causal one. RLS has rarely been reported as an isolated neurological manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency. In this case report, we described a 24-year-old young man with RLS who responded poorly to symptomatic therapy. The etiological evaluation suggested vitamin B12 deficiency secondary to pernicious anemia. The patient responded rapidly to vitamin B12 supplementation and clinical manifestations of RLS resolved, suggesting a possible causal relationship.

Effects of radiant asymmetry on the thermal comfort conditions: Experiments in a test room

Occupants' well-being in buildings is related to the thermal comfort conditions in indoor spaces. Radiant asymmetry is a parameter of localised discomfort and its evaluation is rather challenging. It should be considered when dealing with radiant systems since they could produce unacceptable asymmetric temperature fields. In this paper, the issue of radiant asymmetry in winter is experimentally investigated in a test room equipped with radiant panels. A first round of testing is carried out to study the limits in terms of supply water temperature of the heated surface in relation to the discomfort curves proposed in the current standards. Configurations with a heated wall or ceiling and the contemporary presence of one or more heat-dissipating surfaces are considered. Twelve scenarios representing real building situations are analysed, each involving three consecutive heating phases with increasing supply temperatures of 30, 35 and 40 °C. The most critical configuration is imposed in a second testing round with 8 participants checking the actual subjects' perceptions through questionnaires, with conditions of global thermal neutrality (PMV = 0). The scenario with a heated ceiling and heat-dissipating floor is the most adverse, generating a vertical asymmetry exceeding the standard limit of 4 °C when the supply temperature is above 35 °C. The survey campaign shows that uncomfortable cold sensations are prevalent with lower radiant asymmetry levels, whereas the highest ceiling temperature improves comfort perception. The results suggest that participants could not feel the asymmetry increment and analysis of radiant asymmetry discomfort should also consider surface temperatures along with plane radiant temperature difference.

Interoceptive bodily awareness in patients seeking pain relief with osteopathic manipulative treatment: an observational cohort pilot study.

Interoceptive bodily awareness (IBA) is one's attentional focus on and relationship with comfortable and uncomfortable (e.g., pain) internal body sensations. Integrating IBA into research on osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is growing, both as an outcome and predictor of treatment outcomes; however, it has yet to be studied in a clinical setting. We aimed to conduct a pilot study to measure IBA, with the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), in patients seeking OMT for pain, and to test if OMT exposure may be associated with higher IBA as measured by the MAIA. The primary outcome was the change in MAIA scores, and the secondary outcomes were reduction in pain intensity, reduction in pain interference, and increase in participants' perception of change post-OMT. A convenience sample was recruited from individuals presenting for OMT appointments at a College of Osteopathic Medicine OMT teaching clinic. Participants were recruited into our single-arm observational cohort study (n=36), and categorized into one of two groups, OMT-naïve (n=19) or OMT-experienced (n=17), based on prior exposure to OMT. We measured MAIA scores and clinical pain-related outcomes prior to, immediately after, and at 1 and 3weeks after a usual-care OMT session in the clinic. Covariates including experience with mind-body activities, non-OMT body work, and physical and emotional trauma were also collected to explore potential relationships. We utilized t tests to compare MAIA scores and pain outcomes between groups and across time points. Stepwise regression models were utilized to explore potential relationships with covariates. The OMT-experienced group scored higher on theMAIA scales "Not-worrying" (p=0.002) and "Trusting" (p=0.028) at baseline. There were no significant changes in the MAIA scores before and after the single OMT session. Analysis of secondary outcomes revealed that all pain outcomes significantly decreased post-OMT (p<0.05), with the largest relative improvements in the acute pain and OMT-naïve subgroups, with diminishing effects over time. Assessing IBA with MAIA in a clinical OMT setting is feasible. There were significant positive correlations between OMT exposure and two of the eight MAIA scales. Future studies are justified to further explore this relationship.

Perbandingan Kompres Hangat dan Kompres Dingin terhadap Respon Nyeri Imunisasi Pentabio di Wilayah Puskesmas Pekauman Banjarmasin

Immunization is an effort to provide immunity to babies and children by maintaining vaccines in the body to produce antibodies to prevent certain diseases. Providing complete basic immunization aims to obtain initial active immunity including, among others, BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin), Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hemophilus Influenza type B (Hib), Hepatitis B, Polio and Measles. Pain is defined as an uncomfortable sensation and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, thus the importance of evidence-based immunization used to reduce pain. Pain management with compresses can be done before immunization at the injection area is considered to be able to reduce pain in babies. Warm compresses can cause a heat effect which will be absorbed into body tissue and can reduce pain. Cold compresses can make the skin reduce its pain response due to the release of endorphins which can block the transmission of nerve fibers. The aim of this research is to determine the comparison of the use of warm compresses and cold compresses on the pain response to pentabio immunization in the Pekauman Community Health Center area. The method used is Pre-Experimental Design with sampling using Nonprobability Sampling. The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed that there was a significant difference in the influence of the two groups on pain levels by looking at the mean value for warm compresses of 17.00.

Active noise control modeling for an electric bus driving position and its effect on sound quality

Current electric bus has become an important public transport for people in China, and its interior sound quality directly affects the driver’s physical and mental health for a long working time and the comprehensive performance of the vehicle. Therefore, it is an inevitable and urgent trend to research electric bus interior sound quality. Aiming at the problem of subjective uncomfortable auditory sensation caused by different speeds, the noise signals near the driver’s ears were collected under two constant speed conditions. On the basis of principle analysis of feed-forward adaptive control system, the primary and secondary path transfer functions were presented using Simulink module in MATLAB to construct three active noise control models for an electric bus based on least mean square (LMS), normalized LMS (NLMS) and filtered-x LMS (FxLMS). Numerical simulation results indicate that the established control models are convergent, and four acoustic parameters are effectively reduced after controls to achieve the effect of improving the sound quality.

A patient-enriched MEIS1 coding variant causes a restless legs syndrome-like phenotype in mice.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the legs during rest periods. To relieve these sensations, patients move their legs, causing sleep disruption. While the pathogenesis of RLS has yet to be resolved, there is a strong genetic association with the MEIS1 gene. A missense variant in MEIS1 is enriched sevenfold in people with RLS compared to non-affected individuals. We generated a mouse line carrying this mutation (p.Arg272His/c.815G>A), referred to herein as Meis1R272H/R272H (Meis1 point mutation), to determine whether it would phenotypically resemble RLS. As women are more prone to RLS, driven partly by an increased risk of developing RLS during pregnancy, we focused on female homozygous mice. We evaluated RLS-related outcomes, particularly sensorimotor behavior and sleep, in young and aged mice. Compared to noncarrier littermates, homozygous mice displayed very few differences. Significant hyperactivity occurred before the lights-on (rest) period in aged female mice, reflecting the age-dependent incidence of RLS. Sensory experiments involving tactile feedback (rotarod, wheel running, and hotplate) were only marginally different. Overall, RLS-like phenomena were not recapitulated except for the increased wake activity prior to rest. This is likely due to the focus on young mice. Nevertheless, the Meis1R272H mouse line is a potentially useful RLS model, carrying a clinically relevant variant and showing an age-dependent phenotype.

Characterizing a new tool to manipulate area postrema GLP1R+ neurons across species

Nausea is an uncomfortable sensation that accompanies many therapeutics, especially diabetes treatments involving glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) agonists. Recent studies in mice have revealed that GLP1R-expressing neurons in the area postrema play critical roles in nausea. Here, we characterized a ligand-conjugated saporin that can efficiently ablate GLP1R+ cells from humans, mice, and the Suncus murinus, a small animal model capable of emesis. This new tool provides a strategy to manipulate specific neural pathways in the area postrema in the Suncus murinus and may help elucidate roles of area postrema GLP1R+ neurons in emesis during therapeutics involving GLP1R agonists.

Psychophysical and Electrophysiological Parameters of the Auditory Analyzer as Indicators of the Effectiveness of Cochlear Implantation in Children with Bilateral Deafness

Background. The results of rehabilitation of patients with deafness after cochlear implantation (CI) depends on many factors related on both the individual characteristics of the patient and the technical parameters of auditory nerve stimulation — fitting of the CI system processor. Article presents the results of a study of the relationship between psychophysical (subjective) auditory sensations and electrophysiological (objective) responses of the structures of the auditory analyzer to electrical stimulation. Aims — to evaluate the relationship between the electrophysiological responses of the auditory analyzer and the psychophysical parameters of the thresholds of sound perception and speech intelligibility in patients with deafness after CI. Methods. The study involved 88 patients with IV bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, borderline with deafness, aged 6 to 17 years 11 months, among whom 54.5% (n = 48) of girls and 45.5% (n = 40) of boys. Of the patients included in the follow-up, 40% (n = 35) underwent unilateral CI; 60% (n = 53) of children underwent bilateral sequential CI. In our study, slightly more than half of the patients (51.1%) had experience using the CI system for more than 5 years. At the first stage of the study, we studied the relationship between sound perception thresholds (tonal audiometry in a free field) and registered ASSR (auditory steady state response) thresholds in patients with deafness receiving rehabilitation after CI surgery. The relationship between behavioral and electrophysiological (objective) thresholds was assessed by comparing the results of tonal threshold audiometry and the responses received during ASSR registration to acoustic stimulation in a free field. At the second stage, patients with indications for processor fitting (decreased speech intelligibility, uncomfortable sensations) underwent speech audiometry, evoked compound action potentials (ECAP) registration, according to the results of which the parameters of the CI processor were changed. Results. Research data showed the effectiveness of the approach of including the ECAP registration test, followed by the creation of a fitting card and correction of the level of auditory nerve stimulation under the control of speech audiometry in the protocol of fitting the CI processor. Conclusions. The results of the conducted studies allow us to recommend the use of the developed method of objective recording of sound perception thresholds in patients with CI as one of the indicators of the effectiveness of CI in the early period of auditory-speech rehabilitation in patients with undeveloped speech skills and when it is impossible to conduct objective tests accompanied by supra-threshold stimulation of the auditory nerve.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy for tenesmus-A case report

Tenesmus is uncomfortable sensation of incomplete evacuation of the bowel movements and it may be a distressing symptom for sufferers who suffer from rectal fullness. Not like nociceptive ache, neuropathic pain or visceral ache, little is thought about the pathway for this ache. There are only a few studies analyzing the palliative care of this symptom. In this case report, we describe a patient who suffered from severe tenesmus. To address the patient’s tenesmus, pelvic floor physiotherapy was given. After 3 months of pelvic floor physiotherapy, the patient reported complete abolishment of her tenesmus symptoms. Pelvic floor physiotherapy may be an effective tool for the management of tenesmus. Future research studies should consider examining the signs and symptoms of tenesmus.

Huzursuz Bacaklar Sendromu: Tanıdan Tedaviye

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can be described by an urge to move limbs that typically coincides with an uncomfortable sensation. When at rest or inactivity, signs may start or develop worse; they usually go away when one moves or gets up for a walk. RLS can be both idiopathic or secondary to many kinds of health conditions, such as deficiency of iron, diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, and chronic renal failure. At the admission, secondary causes and iron tests, such as transferrin saturation and ferritin, must be evaluated. Assessments should be repeated when symptoms worsen, or when augmentation develops. Augmentation is a significant adverse effect of therapy by levodopa and dopamine agonists. More severe signs, early appearance of symptoms, and spreading of symptoms from the legs to other body parts are indicative of augmentation. Non-pharmacological treatments help some RLS patients control their symptoms. Iron-replacement therapy is a first-line treatment option for patients with indications of low body iron stores. The use of α2δ ligands as initial treatments instead of dopamine agonists has been recommended recently.

Allergy-related stomatitis: a rare case in dental practice

Background: Oral mucosa is the first gate of food and water to enter the body. This area, including the lips, is more frequent in contact with various food substances containing flavoring agents; therefore, it is very susceptible to allergy-related stomatitis. This study aims to report the case of allergy-related stomatitis due to food intake.Case: We present a case report of 31 year-old-woman complaining of an uncomfortable and burning sensation in the tongue, hard palate, and lips. The clinical examination showed an erythematous lesion along the mucosal lip. The history revealed that the patient had an atopic allergy to seafood and cold air. She reported that three days before she visited the dentist, she ate seafood with very spicy seasoning. According to the complete blood test, it was revealed that eosinophil and total IgE were high. We diagnose allergy-related stomatitis based on the history, clinical features, and blood test examination. The patient was advised not to eat seafood or spicy food and eliminate the precipitating factors Conclusion: Diagnosis of allergy-related stomatitis can be obtained by anamnesis, clinical examination, and other laboratory testing.

Quantitative analysis of wavelength dependence of thermal perception

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of materials that selectively reflect or absorb radiation in specific wavelength ranges. Previous studies have shown that the same intensity of radiation can produce different degrees of thermal perception depending on its wavelength. This difference is thought to be the optical properties of the skin. However, these findings have not been quantitatively verified yet. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively analyze the effects of radiation of different wavelength ranges on thermal sensation. We conducted a human subject experiment and discovered that far-infrared radiation causes a warmer and more uncomfortable sensation than near-infrared radiation. To interpret these results, we developed a new mathematical model that predicts thermal perception caused by radiation of different wavelengths. The model is based on a heat diffusion equation within the skin and considers the optical properties of the skin to simulate thermoreceptor activities in response to given spectral irradiances. Our model explained the observed phenomenon in our and previous experiments, where the same intensity of radiation but at different wavelengths can produce different degrees of thermal perception, in terms of physiological mechanisms. Additionally, the model revealed a hierarchy in thermal sensation, with far-infrared radiation being perceived as the warmest, followed by mid-infrared, visible, and near-infrared radiation. These findings are crucial for designing materials that selectively reflect or absorb radiation in specific wavelength ranges, and for developing heaters that provide efficient heating with low energy consumption.