Effects of Abdominal Thermal Stimulation on Blood Flow
Author Information
Author(s): Shin Takayama, Takashi Seki, Masashi Watanabe, Shigeru Takashima, Norihiro Sugita, Satoshi Konno, Takashi Takeda, Hiroyuki Arai, Tomoyuki Yambe, Nobuo Yaegashi, Makoto Yoshizawa, Shigenao Maruyama, Shin-Ichi Nitta
Primary Institution: Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan
Hypothesis
Does local thermal stimulation to the abdomen increase blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery?
Conclusion
Thermal stimulation of the para-umbilical region increased blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery 20 minutes after stimulation in healthy subjects.
Supporting Evidence
- Blood flow volume in the superior mesenteric artery significantly increased during thermal stimulation.
- Blood flow volume in the brachial artery decreased 40 minutes after stimulation.
- Significant increases in SMA diameter were observed during and after thermal stimulation.
Takeaway
Heating the belly can help blood flow in a specific artery that supplies the intestines, which might be good for digestion.
Methodology
This was a prospective observational study where 24 healthy subjects underwent 20 minutes of abdominal thermal stimulation, and blood flow was measured using ultrasound.
Potential Biases
All subjects were male, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and lacked a control group.
Participant Demographics
24 healthy male subjects with a mean age of 31.2 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.5–3.9 mmHg
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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