The cooling ability of a cold source used with a wet versus dry elastic bandage medium.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of eight combinations of cryotherapy in terms of rate and absolute cooling ability of the skin. Methods of Research: 12 subjects, male and female, ages ranging from 19 -26 volunteered for the study. Each subject was exposed to eight combinations of a cold source (Kwik Kold, Flex-i-cold, Ice Pack or Water Bath) and medium. Measurements of the skin temperature were taken every minute for 20 minutes. Temperature measurements of the skin were analyzed using nonparametric statistics including the Chi-square, Probability Z Score, Friedman, T LSD and Wilcoxon tests. The level of significance was set at .05. Conclusions: There was indeed a significant difference between the four cold sources in terms of rate and absolute cooling. The use of any of the cold sources except the Flex-i-cold, and a wet medium was significantly more effective than their use with a dry medium in both rate and absolute cooling. The most effective cold source and medium combination in both rate and absolute cooling was the Water Bath and wet medium, followed by the Water Bath and the dry medium. The least effective medium and cold source combination was the Flex-i-cold and dry medium followed by the Flex-i-cold and a wet medium.