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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03884218

Thermal Imaging in Old and Frail in the Community

This study aims to test whether infrared thermal imaging using a non-touch, non-ionising, thermal camera system is feasible and reliable as an independent technique for thermal comfort assessment in older people and frail older people living in a care home and with or without mild cognitive impairment.

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Key information

Conditions

Old Age; Debility Frailty Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

60 year–105 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Sheffield, S10 2JF, United Kingdom

About this study

Thermal comfort (TC) is a complex interaction involving physiological, social, cultural and clothing factors. In hospital and in care homes, health-issues (frailty, dementia, immobility) can affect a person's perception of TC.

In the UK 18,000 care homes provide living-communities for approximately 400,000 people. Many are old/frail and vulnerable to indoor chilling. A quality indicator for a good ''home'' environment is related to TC. However, in multiplyoccupied rooms TC varies between individuals. The challenge in health-assessment is in identifying ''uncomfortable'' residents (too hot/too cold). As TC is a subjective perception; a carer cannot reliably predict TC in another person.

The objectives are to use infra-red thermal imaging (IRTI) to 'see' the body temperature map, to demonstrate prevalence of TC/thermal discomfort, to demonstrate whether there is correspondence/dissociation between TC self-report and IRTI-measured body/extremity (hand) temperature.

The study aims to establish if TC can be predicted by an independent non-invasive imaging device

Expected achievements are a two-way pathway to health impact:

  • identification of eligible adults via NHS intermediary care- and awaiting care home residency
  • expert guidance and collaboration with NHS partners
  • translation of results from community to NHS setting e.g. stoke/aged care medicine for improved thermal care on the hospital wards Longer-term the expected achievement (5-7 years)-working with NHS colleagues and design/product development teams is expected to lead towards a commercialisation pathway.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Care home residents who are:

  • Aged over 60 to a maximum age of 105 years
  • Able to sit comfortably for up to 20 minutes without marked agitation.
  • Ability to understand, read and speak English.

Exclusion criteria

Care home residents who are/have:

  • Severe dementia
  • Unable to hold a conversation
  • Who do not wish to take part in the study
  • Unable to speak or understand English
  • Unable to sit with other residents
  • Who are severely agitated or unsettled

Treatment and study plan

Infra red thermal imaging

Other

thermal image using a non-touch, non-ionising, thermal camera system

Primary outcomes

  1. Thermometer

    Time frame: Baseline

    Body Temp: degrees

    whether an older persons perceptions about thermal comfort is best predicted by their body temperature from the thermometer in Degrees Centigrade. Their temp will be compared to their self reported thermal comfort.

  2. Thermal Imaging comparison

    Time frame: Baseline

    whether an older persons perceptions about thermal comfort is best predicted by the image that the thermal camera provides (known as a thermal map) along with the data (temperature values) that can be extracted from the thermal image particularly over the area of interest which in this study is the hands and forearm. The thermal image will be compared to self-reported thermal comfort.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Other

Collaborators

  • Sheffield Hallam University

Registry information

Official study title

A Study to Assess Thermal Comfort of Frail Older People in a Care Home Setting.

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Mar 21, 2019
Registry last updated
Mar 22, 2019

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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