J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  1994 Feb;1(1):37-49.

A study on the Skin Temperature and Discomfort According to the Local Application of Ice Bag

• Kim KS
• Bang KS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the oral temperature, skin temperature, and subjective discomfort according to the application time of ice bag on thigh, head, and abdomen. This study was also intended to suggest nursing principles about ice bag application by exploring the recovery time of skin temperature after the removal of ice bag. The design of this study was 8x3 factorial design with one sample repeated measure. Here, the application time of ice bag(criteria, 5min, 10min, 20min, 30min, 40min, 50min, 60min)and the application site of ice bag(thigh, head, abdomen) were independent variables. The subjects were 10 university woman students, and data collection was made from July, 1 to August 30, 1992. Rubber ice bag halfly filled with ice was covered with towel and applied on thigh, head and abdomen in other three days. Before applying the ice bag, oral temperature and skin temperature were checked for criteria. After ice bag was applied, skin temperature, oral temperature and VAS score were checked at first 5 minutes elapsed, and every 10 minutes until 60 minutes. After that, ice bag was removed, and oral temperature and skin temperature were also measured every ten minutes until 60 minutes. In this study, skin temperature and core temperature were measured by thermistor probe, and subjective discomfort was measured by 200mm VAS(Visual Analogue Scale). Some of the findings were as follows : 1. There were significant differences in skin temperature among the three application sites of ice bag as time go by. It was most decreased to 15.87degrees C in thigh, and 19.47degrees C in abdomen at 50 minutes after the application of ice bag, whereas 26.1degrees C at 40 minutes in head. Before the application of ice bag, skin temperature showed significant differences in three sites, so that they were compared after the criteria was covariated. In other words, there was significantly more decrease of skin temperature in thigh and abdomen than head, after ice bag was applied for 20 minutes and more. 2. There was no significant difference in core temperature among the three application sites of ice bag during the time of application. 3. There was no significant difference in subjective discomfort(VAS) among the three application sites of ice bag. 4. After the removal of ice bag, the recovery of skin temperature was significantly different in three sites during first 30 minutes. In head, skin temperature came up to criteria at 30 minutes after the removal of ice bag, but it was not recovered in thigh and abdomen even 60 minutes elapsed. 5. After the removal of ice bag, there was no significant difference in oral temperature among the three application sites of ice bag. 6. There was significant correlation between the skin temperature and VAS score only in thigh. In conclusion, it is suggested that head in more suitable site for the application of ice bag if it is used for the relief of fever or pain. When we apply ice bag on thigh or abdomen for the relief of pain, careful attention is required.

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Data Collection
Female
Fever
Head
Humans
Ice*
Nursing
Rubber
Skin Temperature*
Skin*
Thigh
Ice
Rubber