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Abstract:
The human body relies on precise neurovascular regulation and coordinated thermogenesis/thermoregulation mechanisms [1]. It maintains relatively stable core body temperature even during extreme external temperature fluctuations, thereby supporting homeostasis and critical physiological functions [2, 3]. This study utilized mid- (MWIR) and log-wave (LWIR) infrared thermography to visualize the temperature field [4, 5] on the dorsal surface of the hand, quantifying bilateral thermal responses and systemic regulation induced by localized cold stimulation. First, the volar surface of the right hand was subjected to a -4°C cold plate of participants for four minutes of continuous cold exposure, while the left hand was subjected to room temperature, with simultaneous thermal imaging of both hands (approximately 2,400 thermal images per subject). Recovery, with both hands at room temperature, was then recorded for an additional four minutes. The study included 19 volunteers (13 males, 6 females; ages 18–53). Subsequently, regions of interest (ROI) were defined for the acquired data, which were processed using principal component thermography (PCT). PCT was employed to further highlight the ventral plexus (VP), thereby aiding in its localization. Temperature variations across different subjects were then visualized in selected areas through time-temperature plots. Deep learning (DL) methods were also used to improve the quality of the thermographic analyses. Results showed that the temperature of the VP in the stimulated hand decreased continuously during the cold exposure phase before rebounding, while the temperature of the unstimulated hand increased. Joint analysis of temperature distribution and time series revealed coupled rebalancing patterns in bilateral temperature dynamics. These findings indicate that localized cold stress triggers cross-limb vasomotor and thermal redistribution to mitigate external disturbances on core body temperature.
Significant references
1. Castrillón-Gutiérrez M, Olaya-Mira N, Viloria-Barragán C, et al. Protocol to evaluate human thermoregulation before and after thermal stress. MethodsX, 2024, 13: 102977.
2. Lahiri B B, Bagavathiappan S, Nishanthi K, et al. Infrared thermography based studies on the effect of age on localized cold stress induced thermoregulation in human. Infrared Physics & Technology, 2016, 76: 592-602.
3. Lahiri B B, Bagavathiappan S, Philip J. Infrared thermal imaging based study of localized cold stress induced thermoregulation in lower limbs: The role of age on the inversion time. Journal of Thermal Biology, 2020, 94: 102781.
4. Bouzida N, Bendada A, Maldague X P. Visualization of body thermoregulation by infrared imaging. Journal of Thermal Biology, 2009, 34(3): 120-126.
5. Usamentiaga R, Fidanza A, Yousefi B, et al. Advancing knee injury prevention and anomaly detection in rugby players through automated processing of infrared thermography: A novel biothermodynamics approach. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, 2025: 103782.
