Using wavelet analysis to characterize the thermoregulatory mechanisms of sacral skin blood flow

• DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2003.10.0159
• Publication Date: 2005-01-07T12:41:59Z
• Authors: Mary Jo Geyer; Yih-Kuen Jan; David M. Brienza; Michael L. Boninger
• Keywords: Spectral Analysis; Frequency analysis

Pressure-induced skin blood flow responses measured via laser Doppler flowmetry are commonly reported in the time domain. The usefulness of spectral analysis examining control mechanisms has been demonstrated, but traditional Fourier does not provide sufficient resolution to reveal characteristic low frequencies. Time-frequency (wavelet) was performed on 10 subjects' sacral heating (45 degrees C) with improved resolution. Five frequency bands were identified (0.008-0.02 Hz, 0.02-0.05 0.05-0.15 0.15-0.4 and 0.4-2.0 Hz) corresponding metabolic, neurogenic, myogenic, respiratory, or cardiac origins. Significant differences observed mean normalized power metabolic (p < 0.01) myogenic between preheating maximal postheating periods. Power increased for decreased frequency. Wavelet successfully characterized thermoregulatory by revealing contributions physiological rhythms embedded signal.