None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Many older adults complain of cold feet, but little is being done to alleviate this problem because it is generally not considered limb-threatening. Fabrics functionalised with inorganic additive minerals reflect far-infrared (FIR) rays. Socks made from these ‘FIR’ fabrics have thermo-regulating properties in-vitro. They could reduce discomfort and complications related to cold feet in older adults, resulting in benefits such as improved blood flow to the lower limbs and reduction of thermal injuries from placing cold feet too close to a heat source or falls from wearing thick socks. We hypothesize that ‘FIR’ socks are effective in thermo-regulation and improving the blood flow in older adults.
Interventions
3 types of fabrics made into socks
Sock 1: Socks made with fabric with no added inorganic minerals (placebo)
Sock 2: Socks made with fabric embedded with Caesium Tungstate 2%
Sock 3: Socks made with fabric embedded with Indian Red Ochre 2%
Conditions:
Condition 1: Sock embedded with Caesium Tungstate 2%
Condition 2: Sock embedded with Indian Red Ochre 2%
Condition 3: Sock with no mineral additives (placebo).
We will test socks made from fabric manufactured with Caesium Tungstate or Indian Red O
3 types of fabrics made into socks Sock 1: Socks made with fabric with no added inorganic minerals (placebo) Sock 2: Socks made with fabric embedded with Caesium Tungstate 2% Sock 3: Socks made with fabric embedded with Indian Red Ochre 2% Conditions: Condition 1: Sock embedded with Caesium Tungstate 2% Condition 2: Sock embedded with Indian Red Ochre 2% Condition 3: Sock with no mineral additives (placebo). We will test socks made from fabric manufactured with Caesium Tungstate or Indian Red Ochre minerals. Both of these materials emit Far Infrared (FIR) rays in the 4-16 µm range. Initial testing at Nanyang Technological University Materials Engineering Laboratory has determined that these two minerals have optimal heat retention properties when exposed to an infra-red lamp heat source at 34 degrees. The socks will be differentiated in pattern, but neither the assessor nor the participant will know which sock is which (doubleblind). Only one research team member knows the minerals that are embedded in each sock type. There will be a wash out period of 30 minutes between each test. Procedure: Participants will be asked to attend one session lasting no longer than three hour. Each session will include the following: Participants will be specifically asked to rest for 10 minutes while barefoot before an assessor (TN/DS) measures the Ankle Brachial Index, and Toe pressure using a standard clinical doppler vascular assessment kit and temperature gradient (skin temperature over the knee, anterior ankle, ball of the great toe ) using a standard non-contact thermometer. The assessor will place the test sock (Sock1) on the participant. After 30 mins, the vascular assessments will be repeated. After the measurements for Sock 1 are taken, the participant will be provided with a 10 minutes break and the same test will be repeated again with the other 2 test socks (Sock 2 and 3) separately. During the session when each of the socks is donned on,the research assistant (TN) will be observing participants to ensure that they have kept the test socks on for that entire period of 30 minutes.
Sponsors
Sportsmaster
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
65 years of age and over Self reported cold feet
Exclusion criteria
Persons with known critical limb ischaemia, current ulcers in the foot and leg.
Outcome results
None listed