Effects of whole body cooling on sensory perception and manual performance in subjects with Raynaud's phenomenon.

Patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) have abnormal digital vasoconstriction in response to cold. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of cooling on sensory perception and manual performance in healthy male subjects and subjects with RP. There were two groups of subjects with primary RP: 12 subjects fulfilled the criteria of Lewis (L) and the other 12 the more critical criteria of Maricq (M). Control group (C) consisted of 19 healthy men. Subjects were exposed to 5 degrees C for 60 min. Skin temperatures were measured. Finger dexterity, pinch strength, abduction/adduction of fingers, pressure perception threshold and vibration perception threshold were tested during the exposure every 15 min. At the beginning of the exposure the mean (S.E.) finger temperature was 2.5 (1.2) degrees C (P<0.05) lower in M than in C. Manual performance and sensory perception were impaired due to the cooling, the impairment being significantly greater in M than in C. Responses of L were between those of M and C. In a given finger temperature vibration and pressure sensibility and manual performance were lower in M and L than in C. In conclusion, cold exposure decreased sensory perception and manual performance in the subjects with RP to a lower level than in the healthy subjects. Non-thermal factors may also decrease performance in RP.