Article

Thermal comfort remains a common problem for people with lower-limb amputation.
Both donning a prosthesis and engaging in activity at room temperature can
increase residual limb skin temperature; however, the effects of activity on skin
temperature and comfort in more extreme environments remain unknown. We examined
residual limb skin temperatures and perceived thermal comfort (PTC; 11-point
Likert scale) of participants with unilateral transtibial amputation (n = 8) who
were snowshoeing in a cold environment. Residual limb skin temperature increased
by 3.9 degrees C [3.0 degrees C to 4.7 degrees C] (mean difference [95%
confidence interval (CI)], p < 0.001) after two 30 min exercise sessions
separated by a 5 min rest session. Minimal cooling (-0.2 degrees C [-1.1 degrees
C to 0.6 degrees C]) occurred during the rest period. Similar changes in PTC were
found for the residual limb, intact limb, and whole body, with a mean scale
increase of 1.6 [1.1 to 2.1] and 1.3 [0.8 to 1.8] for the first and second
exercise sessions, respectively (p < 0.001). Activity in a cold environment
caused similar increases in residual limb skin temperature as those found in
studies conducted at room temperature. Participants with amputation perceived
warming as their skin temperature increased during exercise followed by the
perception of cooling during rest, despite minimal associated decreases in skin
temperature.

Langue : ANGLAIS