Difference between the effects of one-site and three-site abdominal hot-stone stimulation on the skin-temperature changes of the lower limbs

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether any difference exists in the skin-temperature responses of the lower limbs to hot-stone application relative to one-site and three-site abdominal application.METHODS:Twenty-five female students participated in experimental sessions after a random allocation:14 participants received a hot-stone application on the umbilicus,superior-umbilicus,and inferior-umbilicus regions(hereafter referred to as the three-site stimulation group);and11 participants received the hot-stone application on the umbilicus region only(hereafter referred to as the one-site stimulation group).Heated stones were applied for 9 min to participants in both groups.Four arbitrary frames(the lower leg,ankle,proximal foot,and distal foot regions)were created in order to observe and analyze the skin temperature of a lower limb using a thermograph.Observation periods were as follows:before hot-stone stimulation,immediately after stimulation,and 5,10,15,and 20 min after stimulation.RESULTS:There was a significant offset interaction of distal foot skin temperature between the groups.The left-side distal foot skin temperature increased at 15 and 20 min following the three-site abdominal hot-stone stimulation.The right-side distal foot skin temperature increased immediately and at 5,10,15,and 20 min following the three-site abdominal hot-stone stimulation.No significant change in distal foot skin temperature was observed following the one-site stimulation.CONCLUSION:Lower-limb skin temperature was altered following hot-stone stimulation applied to the abdomen,and the one-site stimulation and three-site stimulation yielded different distal foot skin-temperature reactions.