Influence of heat applications on mental and physical health
It's getting warmer. Hot days will no longer be a rarity. Solutions are being sought as to how we can deal with the heat. To find solutions, we first need to understand how heat affects our bodies mentally and physically.
Factsheet
- Schools involved School of Health Professions
- Institute(s) Physiotherapy
- Research unit(s) Nociceptive Sensitization
- Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Humane Digital Transformation"
- Funding organisation Others
- Duration (planned) 01.01.2022 - 30.06.2029
- Head of project Dr. Kay Hanusch
- Project staff Jill Vögelin
- Partner Universität Zürich
- Keywords qhantitativ sensory testing, QST, Whole body hyperthermia, Heat, Warm detection treshold, WDT, heat pain threshold, HPT, pain pressure threshold, PPT, pinprick, winde-up ratio
Situation
Chronic primary pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are characterised by a high disease burden. Movement-induced pain in particular often leads to avoidance behaviour and the discontinuation of movement-based therapies. Heat therapy, in particular water-filtered infrared A whole-body hyperthermia (WBH), has shown promising results in studies with regard to pain reduction and improvement in quality of life. By increasing the core body temperature to around 38.5 °C in a controlled manner, a fever-like reaction is triggered, which is accompanied by positive physiological effects. The suspected mechanisms of action include the modulation of cortisol and serotonin receptors, the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the influence of nociception in cortical pain processing centres. Initial indications suggest that WBH can also alleviate movement-induced pain, which opens up new therapeutic perspectives for FMS patients.
Course of action
This research project investigates the influence of hyperthermia on healthy individuals and on patients with primarily chronic pain. The focus is on central questions regarding thermoregulation and circadian core body temperature: To what extent do these parameters differ between healthy test subjects and pain patients? In addition, it will be investigated whether the sensory and/or nociceptive system can be modulated by the targeted application of heat. Particular attention will be paid to the question of whether these effects can be standardised and used therapeutically. The aim of the project is to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying physiological and neurobiological mechanisms. On this basis, potential therapeutic applications of hyperthermia are to be evaluated. The knowledge gained could help to reduce pain-related avoidance of exercise and motivate patients with chronic pain to be more physically active in the long term. The project thus contributes to the development of innovative, non-drug therapy approaches in the field of pain medicine.
