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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy: Getting the Capillary Refill Test Under One's Thumb
Published on: December 2, 2017
The Effect of Repeated Capillary Refill Tests on the Cutaneous Microcirculation
Frida Meyer1, Joakim Henricson1, Chris D Anderson2
1Department of Emergency Medicine in Linköping, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Insights
Repeated capillary refill tests (CR tests) do not alter capillary refill time (CR time) in healthy individuals when performed at least two minutes apart. However, the anatomical site significantly impacts CR time measurements.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Physiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- The capillary refill test (CR test) is a common bedside assessment in emergency care.
- Capillary refill time (CR time) quantifies circulatory status.
- Understanding factors influencing CR time is crucial for accurate patient assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if repeated CR tests affect CR time measurements.
- To investigate the impact of anatomical site on CR time.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen healthy volunteers participated in the study.
- Repeated CR tests were performed on the sternum, forehead, and fingers.
- Polarized reflectance spectroscopy and dedicated software objectively quantified CR time.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were found between the first and subsequent CR tests.
- Statistically significant differences in CR time were observed across different anatomical locations.
Conclusions:
- Repeated CR tests, with a minimum 2-minute interval, do not influence CR time in healthy subjects.
- The anatomical site chosen for the CR test is a critical factor affecting CR time.
Objective:
The capillary refill test (CR test) is often used in emergency care, and the capillary refill time (CR time) is used to assess a patient's circulatory condition. The objective of this study was to investigate if repeated CR tests affect CR time.
Methods:
Thirteen healthy volunteers had repeated CR tests performed on the sternum, forehead, and fingers. The tests were filmed using polarized reflectance spectroscopy and dedicated software for objective quantification of the CR time.
Results:
There were no statistical differences between the first CR test in a series and the following. However, there were statistically significant differences in CR time between the different anatomical sites.
Conclusion:
Repeated CR tests, separated by a minimum of 2 min, do not affect CR time in healthy volunteers. The site where the test is performed is of importance for CR time.
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