2016 Volume 57 Issue 8 Pages 606-613
The purpose of this study is to clarify thermal characteristics of medical care wigs worn by the patients who lost their hair resulting from side effects of cancer treatment. Thermal resistance of six short hair wigs was measured using a thermal manikin. Comfort level, temperature and humidity were also measured inside the wig worn under a summer environment by ten male subjects with shaven heads. The results are as follows: (1) Sensible heat resistance value, with average of around 0.06 (℃· m²/W), showed little difference by wigs. Evaporative heat resistance value, with average of around 0.07 (kPa· m²/W), showed higher value in the wigs with higher ratio of synthetic hair. (2) Nine out of ten subjects, who maintained a stationary position wearing the wigs in an artificial environment enhancing sweat, reported that they felt their head hot, while eight felt stuffy. Average temperature and average relative humidity inside the wig were 36.5℃ and 80%, respectively.
