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CC BY 4.0 · Surg J (N Y) 2016; 02(04): e126-e130
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1594246
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Muscle-Cooling Intervention to Reduce Fatigue and Fatigue-Induced Tremor in Novice and Experienced Surgeons: A Preliminary Investigation

Lauren Jensen
1   Doctoral candidate in Aging Studies, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
,
Michael Dancisak
2   Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
,
James Korndorffer
3   Center for Advanced Medical Simulation and Team Training, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

31 May 2016

14 October 2016

Publication Date:
14 November 2016 (online)

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Abstract

A localized, intermittent muscle-cooling protocol was implemented to determine cooling garment efficacy in reducing upper extremity muscular fatigue and tremor in novice (n = 10) and experienced surgeons (n = 9). Subjects wore a muscle-cooling garment while performing multiple trials of a forearm exercise and paired suturing task to induce muscular fatigue and exercise-induced tremor. A reduction in tremor amplitude and an extension in time to fatigue were expected with muscle cooling as compared with control trials. Each subject completed an intervention session (5°C cooling condition) and a control session (32°C or thermal neutral condition). A paired samples t test indicated that tremor amplitude was significantly reduced (t [8] = 1.89458; p < 0.05) in experienced surgeons in two dimensions (up and down, and back and forth). Tremor amplitude was reduced in novice surgeons but the effect was not significant. Time to fatigue and suture time improved in both cohorts with muscle cooling, but the effect did not reach significance. Results from the pilot work suggest muscle cooling as an intervention for reduction of fatigue and tremor is very promising, warranting further investigation. Surgical specialties that require prolonged procedures might benefit more from this intervention.

Keywords

muscle fatigue - surgeon fatigue - muscle cooling - tremor reduction - fatigue - physiologic tremor - surgical tremor
 

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