Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis for Evaluating the Effect of Pelotherapy on the Human Skin: Methodology and Experiments
Background: Pelotherapy is the traditional procedure of applying curative muds on the skin’s surface—shown to have a positive effect on the human body and cure illnesses. The effect of pelotherapy is complex, functioning through several mechanisms, and depends on the skin’s functional condition. The...
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/9/4251 |
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| author | Margus Metshein Varje-Riin Tuulik Viiu Tuulik Monika Kumm Mart Min Paul Annus |
| author_facet | Margus Metshein Varje-Riin Tuulik Viiu Tuulik Monika Kumm Mart Min Paul Annus |
| author_sort | Margus Metshein |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Pelotherapy is the traditional procedure of applying curative muds on the skin’s surface—shown to have a positive effect on the human body and cure illnesses. The effect of pelotherapy is complex, functioning through several mechanisms, and depends on the skin’s functional condition. The current research objective was to develop a methodology and electrodes to assess the passage of the chemical and biologically active compounds of curative mud through human skin by performing electrical bioimpedance (EBI) analysis. Methods: The methodology included local area mud pack and simultaneous tap water compress application on the forearms with the comparison to the measurements of the dry skin. A custom-designed small-area gold-plated electrode on a rigid printed circuit board, in a tetrapolar configuration, was designed. A pilot study experiment with ten volunteers was performed. Results: Our results indicated the presence of an effect of pelotherapy, manifested by the varying electrical properties of the skin. Distinguishable difference in the measured real part of impedance (<i>R</i>) emerged, showing a very strong correlation between the dry and tap-water-treated skin (r = 0.941), while a poor correlation between the dry and mud-pack-treated skin (r = 0.166) appeared. The findings emerged exclusively in the frequency interval of 10 kHz …1 MHz and only for <i>R</i>. Conclusions: EBI provides a promising tool for monitoring the variations in the electrical properties of the skin, including the skin barrier. We foresee developing smart devices for promoting the exploitation of spa therapies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:06:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8ca78af6d0dc4476b96b974d2658b034 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:06:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-8ca78af6d0dc4476b96b974d2658b0342023-11-17T23:41:48ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202023-04-01239425110.3390/s23094251Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis for Evaluating the Effect of Pelotherapy on the Human Skin: Methodology and ExperimentsMargus Metshein0Varje-Riin Tuulik1Viiu Tuulik2Monika Kumm3Mart Min4Paul Annus5Thomas Johann Seebeck Department of Electronics, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, EstoniaWest Tallinn Central Hospital, Paldiski Mnt. 68, 10617 Tallinn, EstoniaThe Centre of Excellence in Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lihula Mnt. 12/1, 90507 Haapsalu, EstoniaThe Centre of Excellence in Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lihula Mnt. 12/1, 90507 Haapsalu, EstoniaThomas Johann Seebeck Department of Electronics, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, EstoniaThomas Johann Seebeck Department of Electronics, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, EstoniaBackground: Pelotherapy is the traditional procedure of applying curative muds on the skin’s surface—shown to have a positive effect on the human body and cure illnesses. The effect of pelotherapy is complex, functioning through several mechanisms, and depends on the skin’s functional condition. The current research objective was to develop a methodology and electrodes to assess the passage of the chemical and biologically active compounds of curative mud through human skin by performing electrical bioimpedance (EBI) analysis. Methods: The methodology included local area mud pack and simultaneous tap water compress application on the forearms with the comparison to the measurements of the dry skin. A custom-designed small-area gold-plated electrode on a rigid printed circuit board, in a tetrapolar configuration, was designed. A pilot study experiment with ten volunteers was performed. Results: Our results indicated the presence of an effect of pelotherapy, manifested by the varying electrical properties of the skin. Distinguishable difference in the measured real part of impedance (<i>R</i>) emerged, showing a very strong correlation between the dry and tap-water-treated skin (r = 0.941), while a poor correlation between the dry and mud-pack-treated skin (r = 0.166) appeared. The findings emerged exclusively in the frequency interval of 10 kHz …1 MHz and only for <i>R</i>. Conclusions: EBI provides a promising tool for monitoring the variations in the electrical properties of the skin, including the skin barrier. We foresee developing smart devices for promoting the exploitation of spa therapies.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/9/4251curative mudelectrical bioimpedanceelectrodeimpedance spectroscopymud packpelotherapy |
| spellingShingle | Margus Metshein Varje-Riin Tuulik Viiu Tuulik Monika Kumm Mart Min Paul Annus Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis for Evaluating the Effect of Pelotherapy on the Human Skin: Methodology and Experiments Sensors curative mud electrical bioimpedance electrode impedance spectroscopy mud pack pelotherapy |
| title | Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis for Evaluating the Effect of Pelotherapy on the Human Skin: Methodology and Experiments |
| title_full | Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis for Evaluating the Effect of Pelotherapy on the Human Skin: Methodology and Experiments |
| title_fullStr | Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis for Evaluating the Effect of Pelotherapy on the Human Skin: Methodology and Experiments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis for Evaluating the Effect of Pelotherapy on the Human Skin: Methodology and Experiments |
| title_short | Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis for Evaluating the Effect of Pelotherapy on the Human Skin: Methodology and Experiments |
| title_sort | electrical bioimpedance analysis for evaluating the effect of pelotherapy on the human skin methodology and experiments |
| topic | curative mud electrical bioimpedance electrode impedance spectroscopy mud pack pelotherapy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/9/4251 |
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