Age-related differences in cutaneous warm sensation thresholds of human males in thermoneutral and cool environments

作者：Tochihara Yutaka^*; Kumamoto Teruyuki; Lee Joo Young; Hashiguchi Nobuko

来源：Journal of Thermal Biology, 2011, 36(2): 105-111.

DOI：10.1016/j.jtherbio.2010.11.007

• Ageing
• Cutaneous warm threshold
• Temperature sensitivity
• Thermal sensation
• Skin temperature

The purpose of this study was to investigate age-related differences in cutaneous temperature thresholds for warm thermal sensitivity in a thermoneutral (28 degrees C) and in a cool environment (22 degrees C). Peripheral warm thresholds were measured on nine body regions (cheek, chest, abdomen, upper arm, forearm, hand, thigh, shin, and foot) using a thermal stimulator in 12 young (22 +/- 1 years) and 13 elderly male subjects (67 +/- 3 years). The results showed that: (1) mean skin temperature did not differ by age in both environments; (2) the cutaneous warm thresholds for the hand, shin, and foot were significantly higher for the elderly than for the young in both environments (p < 0.01), whereas the remaining body parts showed no age difference; (3) the most insensitive region for elderly males was the shin for both environments (p < 0.01), while for young there was no statistical significant difference with T(a) 28 degrees C; (4) the shin of the elderly was seven and nine times less sensitive to warmth when compared to those of the cheek at T(a) 28 and 22 degrees C, respectively; and (5) warm thresholds were 3-4 degrees C greater at T(a) 22 degrees C than at 28 degrees C, only for the elderly males' shin and foot (p < 0.05), while for young the difference between T(a) 22 and 28 degrees C was not statistically significant. The results indicate that age-related differences in cutaneous warm perception appear to be non-uniform over the body and significant on extremities; there is a greater bluntness of warm sensitivity in the cool environment for elderly males.

• 出版日期2011-3