Characterization of Corticospinal Excitability During Progressive Skin Cooling

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Hypothermia Due to Cold Environment
• Interventions: Other: Cold Stress

• Registration Number: NCT04253730
• Lead Sponsor: University of Manitoba

Brief Summary

This study characterizes the changes in corticospinal excitability that accompany basic cold stress via skin cooling that result in reduced skin or core temperature and shivering.

Detailed Description

Cold stress is known to impair both fine and gross motor movement. Reductions in performance may have life threatening consequences in survival situations where maintenance of muscle control is necessary. Much of the effects cooling has on muscle performance is directly due to its effects on muscle tissue itself, whereas less is known about the effects on the central nervous system. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to characterize corticospinal excitability that accompanies basic cold stress via progressive skin cooling, resulting in reductions in skin (Tsk) or core (Tco) temperature and shivering.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-08-22
• Study First Submitted: 2019-11-26
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-01-31
• Study First Posted: 2020-02-05
• Primary Completion: 2022-03-01
• Study Completion: 2022-06-01
• Status Verified: 2022-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-12-02
• Last Update Posted: 2022-12-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 10

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy adult
• Right Handed
• Pass Magnetic Stimulation Safety Checklist
• Pass Medical Screening Questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria

• Left Handed
• Any adverse responses to cold exposure (Raynaud's Syndrome)
• Cardiorespiratory Disease

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Cold Condition	Cold Stress	Subjects will be cooled for 60-90 min at \~ 4-10°C using a liquid perfused suit. Subjects will then be rewarmed for 30 min at \~ 41°C using the liquid perfused suit.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Corticospinal Excitability	at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 90 minutes	Motor Evoked Potentials (MEP) as a percentage of the maximal compound muscle action potential (Mmax) measured via MEG at the Biceps Brachii will serve as the indices of Corticospinal excitbaility

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Skin Temperature	at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 90 minutes	Mean skin temperature of 7 sites
Change in Spinal Excitability	at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 90 minutes	Cervicomedullary Motor Evoked Potentials (CMEP) as a percentage of the maximal compound muscle action potential (Mmax) measured via MEG at the Biceps Brachii will serve as the indices of spinal excitability
Change in Core Temperature	at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 90 minutes	Esophageal temperature is the most accurate method representing the temperature of the heart.
Change in Metabolic Heat Production	at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 90 minutes	Metabolic heat production serves as an objective way to quantify shivering thermogenesis.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

211 Max Bell Centre, University of Manitoba; 🇨🇦 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada