Venous dilation effect of hot towel (moist and dry heat) versus hot pack for peripheral intravenous catheterization: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Heat application before peripheral intravenous catheterization is recommended for venous dilation. Hot pack application enlarges the venous diameter in healthy adults; however, hot towels (moist and dry heat) are used often in some medical cases. However, it is unclear whether hot towel application promotes venous dilation better than hot pack application. This study compared the venous dilation effect of using a hot towel (moist and dry heat) to a hot pack before applying the tourniquet at an access site for peripheral intravenous catheterization. METHODS: Eighty-eight healthy females aged 18-29 years were recruited for this quasi-experimental study. They underwent three types of heat applications (hot pack, moist hot towel, and dry hot towel [moist hot towel wrapped in a dry plastic bag], all of which were warmed to 40 ± 2 °C and performed for 7 min) to their forearm and tourniquet application for 30 s after each heating. Venous diameter and depth were measured using ultrasonography, and venous palpability and visibility (venous assessment score) was observed as venous dilatation effects. In addition, the skin temperature, stratum corneum hydration, and subjective evaluation of the warmth were measured. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in venous diameter and assessment scores after intervention between the dry hot towel and the hot pack groups, and the effect size was negligible (Cohen's d < 0.20). However, these measurements were significantly lower for the moist hot towel than for the other two heat applications (P < .001). Although there was no significant difference in skin temperature and warmth rating score between the dry hot towel and the hot pack, these were significantly lower for the moist hot towel than for the other two heat applications (P < .001). The amount of change in stratum corneum hydration of the dry hot towel was not significantly different from that of the hot pack; however, that of the moist hot towel was significantly larger than that of the other two heat applications (P < . 001.) CONCLUSIONS: A method in which a towel warmed in hot water is wrapped in a dry barrier may be an alternative to a hot pack. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with University Hospital Medical Information Network in Japan (Registration No.: UMIN000048308. Registered on July 7, 2022).

Pilot study on benefits of applying a hot towel for 10 s to the skin of elderly nursing home residents during bed baths: Towards safe and comfortable bed baths.

This study examined the effects of applying a hot towel to the skin of elderly people for 10 s (AHT10s) during a bed bath. We hypothesized from our previous studies that AHT10s would increase the stratum corneum water content and improve the skin barrier function of the elderly and invited residents (n = 21) of long-term care facilities to participate in this crossover study. Each participant received a bed bath with AHT10s and also a bed bath without hot towel application. The stratum corneum water content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured during bed bathing sessions and the experience was subjectively evaluated by participants. The TEWL increased significantly when bed bath did not involve AHT10s, but there was no such significant increase when AHT10s was performed. AHT10s also raised the skin surface temperature and provided warmth and comfort to all participants. These results suggest that, in the target population, AHT10s will lead to TEWL advantages and provide warmth and comfort.