Verification of the feeling of heat and stuffiness in a medical full wig using each material inner cap: A randomized crossover trial

Abstract

　For patients who experience hair loss due to cancer chemotherapy, wigs are a necessary part of life. However, many patients are forced to stop wearing wigs because of the heat and stuffiness felt while wearing them. In this study, we compared and verified the ability of two inner cap materials used when wearing wigs, gauze or dry material (micropolyester material that excels in the diffusion and evaporation of sweat), to reduce heat and stuffiness. A crossover comparison experiment was conducted in 20 healthy subjects. Each inner cap material was evaluated for 30 minutes in an environment experiment chamber set at temperature and humidity levels of midsummer in Japan. The amount of sweat, temperature, and relative humidity in the wigs were measured, and the participant.s body temperature was obtained using thermography. In the two subjects who sweated more, the amount of sweat was less with the dry material than with the gauze. However, there was no difference clearly in the temperature and humidity inside the wig and the subject.sfeeling of heat and stuffiness due to the material of the inner cap. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a wig that can reduce the feeling of heat and stuffiness.