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01-05-2012 | Original Article

Inert gas narcosis has no influence on thermo-tactile sensation

Authors: Miroljub Jakovljević, Gaj Vidmar, Igor B. Mekjavic

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 5/2012

Abstract

Contribution of skin thermal sensors under inert gas narcosis to the raising hypothermia is not known. Such information is vital for understanding the impact of narcosis on behavioural thermoregulation, diver safety and judgment of thermal (dis)comfort in the hyperbaric environment. So this study aimed at establishing the effects of normoxic concentration of 30% nitrous oxide (N₂O) on thermo-tactile threshold sensation by studying 16 subjects [eight females and eight males; eight sensitive (S) and eight non-sensitive (NS) to N₂O]. Their mean (SD) age was 22.1 (1.8) years, weight 72.8 (15.3) kg, height 1.75 (0.10) m and body mass index 23.8 (3.8) kg m⁻². Quantitative thermo-tactile sensory testing was performed on forearm, upper arm and thigh under two experimental conditions: breathing air (air trial) and breathing normoxic mixture of 30% N₂O (N₂O trial) in the mixed sequence. Difference in thermo-tactile sensitivity thresholds between two groups of subjects in two experimental conditions was analysed by 3-way mixed-model analysis of covariance. There were no statistically significant differences in thermo-tactile thresholds either between the Air and N₂O trials, or between S and NS groups, or between females and males, or with respect to body mass index. Some clinically insignificant lowering of thermo-tactile thresholds occurred only for warm thermo-tactile thresholds on upper arm and thigh. The results indicated that normoxic mixture of 30% N₂O had no influence on thermo-tactile sensation in normothermia.

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Title: Inert gas narcosis has no influence on thermo-tactile sensation
Authors: Miroljub Jakovljević
Gaj Vidmar
Igor B. Mekjavic
Publication date: 01-05-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2169-8

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Inert gas narcosis has no influence on thermo-tactile sensation

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