Abstract
Several physiological parameters were examined at room temperatures (Ta) of 20°C and 24°C during a procedure of bed bathing with hot towels on the back. The subjects were 9 males and 10 females aged between 30 and 53 years. After 30 minutes of rest, a 40x32cm area of the back was covered with two wet towels at a surface temperature of 40°C; then the area was soaped; then again covered by wet towels at a surface temperature of 45°C and the soap was wiped off with a wet and subsequently with a dry towel. The back skin temperature (Ts) measured by thermography was elevated by 3°C during the first covering with hot towels, but recovered rapidly by 2.5°C during soaping. Ts level was significantly higher at 24°C than at 20°C. The difference between Ts at 24°C and that at 20°C was greater for females than for males. Thermal sensation localized to the back was significantly lower for females than for males. The generalized thermal sensation was significantly lowered in females after the soaping. Thermal comfort sensation was not altered during the procedure. The results indicate that a low Ta may affect to reduce the skin temperature and the thermal sensation more severely in females than in males during the bed bathing procedure. It was concluded that the gender difference should be considered when room temperature is being determined for bed bathing.
