Masku Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, Masku, Finland.
J Neurol Sci. 2012 Aug 15;319(1-2):42-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2012.05.024. Epub 2012 May 28.
Heat sensitivity is a well-recognised feature in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, little is known about how heat affects physical performance in persons with MS. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of short-term heat stress on physical functioning in persons with MS. Twenty-three heat-sensitive MS subjects and 19 healthy controls participated. Moderate heat exposure took place in a dry Finnish sauna. Measures of upper and lower extremity function, static and dynamic balance, and walking capacity were applied. Core body temperature was measured by a telemetric physiological monitoring system. Assessments were conducted before, immediately, 1 hour, and 1 day after the heat exposure. Subjects with MS showed a significantly (P=0.002) higher core body temperature than the controls following the heat stress. Performances in walking (P<0.001), chair rise (P=0.005) and functional reach (P=0.04) were poorer in MS subjects than in controls immediately after the heat. No prolonged heat effects were observed. An increase in ambient temperature causes a higher core body temperature rise in MS subjects than in healthy controls. This rise in temperature is associated with acute, but not prolonged detrimental effects on physical functioning.
热敏感性是多发性硬化症(MS)的一个显著特征。然而,人们对热如何影响 MS 患者的身体机能知之甚少。本研究的目的是评估短期热应激对 MS 患者身体机能的影响。23 名热敏感 MS 受试者和 19 名健康对照者参与了研究。适度的热暴露在干燥的芬兰桑拿房中进行。测量了上肢和下肢功能、静态和动态平衡以及行走能力。核心体温通过遥测生理监测系统进行测量。在热暴露前、即刻、1 小时和 1 天后进行评估。与对照组相比,MS 受试者在热应激后核心体温显著升高(P=0.002)。MS 受试者的步行(P<0.001)、椅子起身(P=0.005)和功能性伸展(P=0.04)表现明显较差。未观察到持续的热效应。环境温度的升高会导致 MS 受试者的核心体温升高高于健康对照组。这种体温升高与急性但非持续性的身体机能损伤有关。