Development of a Novel Cooling Vest to Prevent Heat-Induced Thermoregulatory Dysfunction in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Problem Statement: Loss of supraspinal control of autonomic pathways interrupts homeostasis of multiple organ systems including thermoregulation. Thermoregulatory mechanisms are dysfunctional due to interrupted sympathetic pathways for hypothalamic control of vasomotor and sudomotor function and motor/sensory pathways for shivering and thermal sensation. During exposure to warm seasonal temperatures, dysregulation of heat dissipating mechanisms (vasodilation and sweating) allows core body temperature (Tcore) to rise in persons with SCI rather than remaining stable and tightly regulated (~37°0.6°C), as occurs in able-bodied (AB) persons. The investigators have reported in persons with higher lesions (SCI >T6: Hi-SCI), that even limited exposure (1-2 hours) to typical summer temperatures (35°C) can result in Tcore rising to values approaching hyperthermia ( 38°C). Mild hyperthermia causes physical discomfort and can impair cognition. Unchecked, hyperthermia can progress to heat exhaustion and heat stroke causing seizures, loss of consciousness, and potentially death, as occurred in vulnerable residents of the Pacific Northwest during a heat wave in late June 2021.

Current medical advice for those with SCI is to avoid direct sunlight, dress sparingly, drink plenty of fluids, and stay indoors on hot, humid days. Despite heeding this advice, persons with SCI frequently find themselves in hot environments for prolonged periods during social, religious, or work functions. During these conditions, there is rapid progression to feeling "overheated" and an increased risk for heat-related illness. Warm seasonal temperatures limit perceived comfort, performance of activities, and participation in societal functions to a greater extent in persons with cervical injury (tetraplegia) than in AB controls. Identifying a safe, non-invasive, efficacious bioengineering intervention to restore thermoregulatory function during heat exposure has the potential to minimize the negative impact of heat on activities, participation, and quality of life (QOL) in Veterans with SCI. If efficacious, other Veteran populations adversely affected by heat exposure may also benefit from this intervention.

Goals: This pilot study will develop and test a self-regulating cooling vest for Veterans with SCI that can utilize both conductive and evaporative methods to dissipate body heat as a proof-of-concept to prevent an excessive rise in Tcore and thermal discomfort during controlled exposure to a warm environment. An initial prototype of the vest has been developed in collaboration with Dr. Hao Su, a Co-Investigator. This initial prototype requires further development prior to human subject testing. If this study is successful, the investigators will collaborate with the Human Engineering Research Laboratory (HERL) to make the vest appropriate for home testing to determine its effectiveness in improving societal participation and QOL in Veterans with SCI during warmer seasons or when residing in or traveling to hot climate zones.

Primary Objective (Safety): To complete development of the 2nd prototype of the cooling vest and determine its safety. After satisfying bench testing criteria, AB participants will wear the wet cooling vest at maximal settings for 2 hours in the seated position in a warm thermal chamber (35°C), to determine: (1) minimum skin temperatures beneath the cooling vest and (2) subjective comfort of the cooling vest.

Primary Hypotheses: (1) Skin temperatures beneath the vest will be 20°C to protect against cold injury. (2) AB participants will report a thermal sensation (TS) no less than "cool" on a validated 9-point thermal sensation scale. If during testing, a skin temperature of <20°C is measured or a TS < "cool", or "cold spots" are reported, vest development will continue to ensure that the prototype is safe for testing in persons with SCI. Once safety criteria for the cooling vest are met in AB subjects, efficacy testing will be performed in persons with SCI who will wear the cooling vest during a controlled warm challenge.