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NCT Number: NCT06593067

Skin Surface and Intradermal Temperature Responses to Heat Stress

The purpose of this study is to compare surface and intradermal skin temperature responses to heat stress with and without evaporative and convective cooling.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Hyperthermia Body Temperature Changes Heat Stress Disorders Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine

Dallas, Texas, 75231, United States

About this study

Humans have important thermoregulatory responses aimed at maintaining body temperature within a narrow range. These responses are driven in part by receptors located in the skin that monitor temperature changes and provide feedback to the central nervous system. Given that skin temperature can affect the physiological responses to heat stress, it is important to accurately measure skin temperature in response to heat stress with and without evaporative (i.e., sweat) and convective (i.e., air flow) cooling. Skin temperature is most often measured on the surface of the skin; however, this temperature can be influenced by other factors such as the local environment. It is unclear how the temperature of the skins surface compares to the temperature within the dermal layer of the skin.

The study team will directly compare skin surface and intradermal temperature responses to heat stress and determine whether these responses area altered by evaporative or convective cooling methods. To accomplish this objective, healthy adults will be exposed to ambient heat stress (no higher than 47°C) with and without evaporative (water sprayed on the skin) and convective (electric fan) cooling. Thermoregulatory responses, inclusive of skin surface and intradermal temperatures, will be assessed throughout the heat trial.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Free of any significant underlying medical problems based upon a detailed medical history and physical exam.
  • Normal resting electrocardiogram.

Exclusion criteria

  • Known heart disease; other chronic medical conditions requiring regular medical therapy including cancer, diabetes, neurological diseases, and uncontrolled hypertension, etc.; as well as serious abnormalities detected on routine screening.
  • Individuals who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
  • Taking prescribed medications (such as beta blockers and non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers) or over-the-counter medications that have known influences on thermoregulatory response.
  • Current smokers, as well as individuals who regularly smoked within the past 3 years.

Treatment and study plan

Control

Other

Individuals will be exposed to a heated environment (41°C, 15% humidity) for a period of 15 minutes without a cooling modality.

Fan

Other

Individuals will be exposed to a heated environment (41°C, 15% humidity) for a period of 15 minutes with an electric fan as a cooling modality.

Fan and Water Spray

Other

Individuals will be exposed to a heated environment (41°C, 15% humidity) for a period of 15 minutes with an electric fan and water spray as cooling modalities.

Water Spray

Other

Individuals will be exposed to a heated environment (41°C, 15% humidity) for a period of 15 minutes with water spray as a cooling modality.

Primary outcomes

  1. Skin Temperature with Fan Only

    Time frame: 40 minutes into the heat intervention.

    Skin temperature will be measured from small temperature sensitive electrodes attached to the surface and intradermal layer of the skin of the participant with the fan cooling modality.

  2. Skin Temperature with Fan and Water Spray

    Time frame: 60 minutes into the heat intervention.

    Skin temperature will be measured from small temperature sensitive electrodes attached to the surface and intradermal layer of the skin of the participant with both the fan and water spray cooling modalities.

  3. Skin Temperature with Water Spray Only

    Time frame: 1 hour 20 minutes into the the heat intervention.

    Skin temperature will be measured from small temperature sensitive electrodes attached to the surface and intradermal layer of the skin of the participant with the water spray cooling modality.

  4. Skin Temperature with No Cooling

    Time frame: 20 minutes into the heat intervention.

    Skin temperature will be measured from small temperature sensitive electrodes attached to the surface and intradermal layer of the skin of the participant during the heat intervention with no cooling.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 19, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 16, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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