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Biochemical changes in sweat following prolonged ischemia.
1Helen Hayes Hospital, Orthopedic Engineering and Research Center, West Haverstraw, New York 10993.
Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
|January 1, 1988
Summary
This study shows measuring sweat lactate is feasible for detecting tissue pressure. Elevated sweat lactate during indentation indicates pressure damage, returning to normal when pressure is removed.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Physiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Assessing physical parameters at the body support interface is crucial for preventing pressure damage to soft tissues.
- Challenges exist in instrumentation design and data interpretation for these assessments.
- Sweat gland metabolic processes are pressure-sensitive, affecting sweat secretion rates and NaCl concentration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the feasibility of measuring sweat lactate concentration using local electrochemical stimulation.
- To investigate sweat lactate levels in response to localized tissue indentation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized iontophoresis of pilocarpine nitrate for localized sweat collection.
- Employed an electrochemical stimulation technique to measure sweat lactate concentration.
- Applied local tissue indentation to able-bodied subjects.
Main Results:
- Successfully measured lactate concentration in locally collected sweat.
- Detected elevated sweat lactate concentration during periods of local tissue indentation.
- Observed a return to normal sweat lactate levels upon removal of the indentor.
Conclusions:
- Measuring sweat lactate concentration is a feasible method for assessing tissue response to pressure.
- Increased sweat lactate indicates localized tissue pressure or potential damage.
- This technique offers a potential new avenue for monitoring tissue health at the body support interface.