Effect of microbubble bathing of lower extremities on peripheral circulation

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of microbubble bathing of lower extremities on peripheral circulation. Methods: Data were obtained in six healthy subjects under three exposure conditions of footbathing (for a duration of 10 min at a water temperature of 33±1 °C) with microbubbles, macrobubbles, and control or no bubbles. Skin blood flow (measured from right foot) and skin temperature (measured at both hands and left foot) were recorded continuously for a period of 5 min before immersion, during 10-min immersion of legs with feet up to a level of mid-calf into water, and for a further 10 min after-immersion period (when the legs were removed and kept in the baseline posture). Results: The values of skin temperature recorded from the right hand during the third measurement period were significantly different (P<0.05) among the three exposure conditions

microbubble

footbathing

skin temperature

skin blood flow