The comparison on physiological responses in skin temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate between application of heated rice grain and traditional Thai hot pack

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of heat rice grain (HRG) and traditional Thai (TT) hot pack on the changes of skin temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. Forty-four healthy women aged 25-45 years (40.96 + 1.98 years.) were randomized into 2 groups (22 subjects / group). The HRG and TT hot pack groups were treated as heated pack on the subjects’ back. The treatment time in each group was 20 minutes. The skin temperature, blood pressure and heart rate of each subject were recorded before and after treatment. The results showed that the means of skin temperature before and after treatment of subjects in HRG and TT hot pack were 33.80 + 0.96 \& 38.94 + 0.81 oC and 33.89 + 0.96 \& 38.92 + 0.65 oC, respectively. The means of systolic-diastolic blood pressure before and after treatment of subjects in HRG and TT hot pack were 109.91 + 7.57 - 74.82 + 7.59 \& 105.91 + 5.78 - 72.50 + 5.27 mmHg and 107.77 + 8.47 - 74.14 + 6.70 \& 103.82 + 6.70 -70.91 + 5.13 mmHg., respectively. The means of heart rate before and after treatment of subjects in HRG and TT hot pack were 71.00 + 7.16 \& 73.55 + 7.94 bpm. and 73.09 + 6.93 \& 76.23 + 7.52 bpm., respectively.  The skin temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate were significantly changed when compared before and after application of heated pack in each group (p \< 0.05). However, there were no difference in these parameters between the HRG and TT hot pack. In conclusion, both the HRG and TT hot pack can affect the changes in skin temperature, blood pressure and heart rate.