Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis for Evaluating the Effect of Pelotherapy on the Human Skin: Methodology and Experiments

Author:

Metshein Margus1ORCID,Tuulik Varje-Riin23ORCID,Tuulik Viiu3ORCID,Kumm Monika34ORCID,Min Mart1ORCID,Annus Paul1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Thomas Johann Seebeck Department of Electronics, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia

2. West Tallinn Central Hospital, Paldiski Mnt. 68, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia

3. The Centre of Excellence in Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lihula Mnt. 12/1, 90507 Haapsalu, Estonia

4. Pärnu College, University of Tartu, Ringi 35, 80012 Pärnu, Estonia

Abstract

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 (R) 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 R. 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.

Funder

EU European Regional Development Fund

EU Regional Development Fund

Estonian Centre of Excellence in ICT Research EXCITE

Estonian Research Council

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Electrical and Electronic Engineering,Biochemistry,Instrumentation,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics,Analytical Chemistry

Reference71 articles.

1. The therapeutic effects of mud;Chadzopulu;Prog. Health Sci.,2011

2. Peloids and pelotherapy: Historical evolution, classification and glossary;Gomes;Appl. Clay Sci.,2013

3. Schlossmann, K. (1939). Estonian Curative Sea-Muds and Seaside Health Resorts, Boreas Publishing Co., Ltd.

4. Introductory Editorial Thematic Issue: “Mineral and thermal waters”;Porowski;Envrion. Earth Sci.,2019

5. Effects of mud pack treatment on skin microcirculation;Poensin;Jt. Bone Spine,2003

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