Application of varied measurement conditions in evaluation of plasters with local heating activity

The aim of our study was to compare the temperatures of selected heating pads in conditions similar to standard application, and in conditions of isolated pads applied on the area with impaired local circulation. The research was conducted for three kinds of preparations, accessible on the polish pharmaceutical market, encoded as pads I, II, and III, and stored due to the manufacturer guidelines. In the first phase study--in conditions mimicking the physiological situation, mean temperature value, after gaining plateau phase, was at the level of ca. 42.5 degrees C. The fast increase of temperature of I and II pads, followed after 10 and 15 minutes respectively. Also pad III presented similar increase of temperature. The data obtained in the second part of the experiment were different comparing to the thermostated model. High differences were recorded between pads I, II, and III. The I pads attained the maximum temperature after ca. 20-25 min, and the temperature was maintained on the level of 60-65 degrees C, and this is threated by immediate tissue damage after 5 sec. the application of heating pads in patients with proper local circulation, and when there is no additional isolation on the pad, seems to be safe and effective, however the complete evaluation of the product must be confirmed in "in vivo" conditions, e.g., with human volunteers.