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Publication AbstractsEfficacy of Wrist/Palm Warming as an EVA Countermeasure to Maintain Finger Comfort in Cold ConditionsVictor S. Koscheyev, M.D., Ph.D., Gloria R. Leon, Ph.D., and Robert C. Treviño, P.E.Aviat Space Environ Med 2001; 72:713-9 AbstractIntroduction: This study explored the effectiveness of local wrist/palm warming as a potential countermeasure for providing finger comfort during extended duration EVA. Methods: There were six subjects (five males and one female) who were evaluated in a liquid cooling/warming garment (LCWG) wearing modified liquid cooling/warming (LCW) gloves in three different experimental conditions: Condition 1: Stage 1 - no LCWG, LCW glove inlet water temperature 33°C; Stage 2 - no LCWG, LCW glove inlet water temperature cooled to 8°C; Stage 3 - no LCWG, LCW glove inlet water temperature warmed to 45°C; Condition 2: Stage 1 - LCWG and LCW glove inlet water temperature 33°C; Stage 2 - LCWG inlet temperature cooled to 31°C, LCW gloves, 8°C; Stage 3 - LCWG inlet water temperature remains at 31°C, LCW glove inlet water temperature warmed to 45°C; Condition 3: Stage 1 - LCWG and LCW gloves 33°C; Stage 2 - LCWG inlet water temperature cooled to 28°C, LCW gloves, 8°C; Stage 3 - LCWG remains at 28°C, LCW glove water temperature warmed to 45°C. Results: Wrist/palm area warming showed a statistically significant increase in finger temperature (Tfing) in Stage 3 compared with Stage 2. Blood perfusion showed a trend toward a significantly greater value in Stage 3 compared with Stage 2. The LCW gloves were significantly more effective in increasing Stage 3 Tfing in Condition 1 (33°C) compared with Condition 3 (28°C). Across conditions, subjective perception of heat in the hands was significantly greater at Stage 3 than Stage 2; perception of overall body heat showed a trend for higher heat ratings in Stage 3 than Stage 2. Conclusions: Local wrist/palm warming was effective in increasing blood circulation to the distal upper extremities, suggesting the potential usefulness of this technique for enhancing astronaut comfort during EVA while decreasing power requirements.Keywords: thermoregulation, wrist/palm warming, finger comfort. Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 72, Number 8 of the ASME journal.
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