This pilot study aims to determine the impact of an experimental active cooling wrist device compared to a placebo device \[the devices look identical\] on symptom control of hot flashes in adult men and adult women experiencing hot flashes. The participants will record during the first two weeks of the study all of their hot flashes and severity of their hot flashes in a study diary. Each participant will wear each of the two devices \[active cooling and placebo\] during the trial but the order of which device they wear first will be determined by their random assignment into a group. The devices are identical in appearance and neither the participant nor the investigators w ill know which device the participants are wearing. Participants will wear the first assigned device for weeks 3 and 4. They will record in their diary the severity of their hot flashes while using the device. For weeks 5 and 6 they will use a second device and record in their diary the severity of their hot flashes with the use of the device. The devices will be attached to the wrist like a watch. When activated, the experimental active cooling device will turn on a cooling fan with the cooling plate being active for up to 5 minutes. In contrast, the placebo device will only turn on a cooling fan for up to 5 minutes without the cooling plate being active.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
27
This device is worn like a watch and pressing the button activates the cooling function to begin to cool the wrist skin temperature to 47 degrees. Pushing the device button again cools the skin to 60 degrees and a third time to 77degrees.
This device is worn like a watch and pressing the button activates the cooling fan for 5 minutes.
Participants will be instructed to document each hot flash experience daily and indicate if it was mild, moderate, or severe and whether they activated the wrist cooling device.
BU School of Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Number and Severity of Hot Flashes
Severity of hot flashes is defined as mild, moderate, and severe. The number of hot flashes by severity category are abstracted from the study 'hot flash diary'.
Time frame: 6 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.