Evaluation of Post-Exposure Sauna Treatment of Firefighters - A Pilot Study
Last updated on July 2021Recruitment
- Recruitment Status
- Completed
- Estimated Enrollment
- 40
Summary
- Conditions
- Post-fire Rehabilitation of Firefighters in Sauna
- Type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Design
- Allocation: RandomizedIntervention Model: Parallel AssignmentIntervention Model Description: Working with firefighters during training fire exercises, Dr. Jeff Burgess and his study team will compare a chemical commonly excreted in firefighter urine samples after firefighting to assess the value of adding sauna to rehab post-fire. Firefighter heart rate and temperature will be monitored using a core body temperature/heart rate monitor data recorder. Urine will be collected for 12 hours immediately before the scheduled training fire and for 12 hours afterwards. After the fire, the firefighter will perform the standard rehab. During this time, the University of Arizona (UA) study team will randomly select half of the firefighters to an additional sauna rehab and the other half of the firefighters to no additional rehab. Dermal (skin) wipe samples will be taken off the calf, arm, and neck before the fire, before standard rehab, and after sauna/no additional treatment. A post-fire survey will be administered.Masking: None (Open Label)Primary Purpose: Other
Participation Requirements
- Age
- Between 18 years and 125 years
- Gender
- Both males and females
Description
An initial four firefighters will be evaluated for change in PAHs associated with standard fire department flashover training to determine if urinary PAH metabolites increase following exposure, comparing baseline urine samples (collected for up to 12 hours before the training fire) to a repeat urin...
An initial four firefighters will be evaluated for change in PAHs associated with standard fire department flashover training to determine if urinary PAH metabolites increase following exposure, comparing baseline urine samples (collected for up to 12 hours before the training fire) to a repeat urine sample (collected up to 12 hours after cessation of the training fire.) If a significant increase is not seen, then repeat testing with four firefighters will be completed using burn room training scenarios. Air monitoring during the training periods may be carried out with standard industrial hygiene instruments. Stage 2: Once a significant increase in PAHs has been documented, the associated training scenario (flashover training or alternate live fire training), testing will be carried out in 20 subjects. Prior to starting the training scenario, the firefighters will provide a urine sample (collected over a time period of 12 hours prior to the training fire), swallow a core temperature probe and wear a monitor for recording both their core temperature and heart rate. In addition, dermal wipes will be collected prior to the training fire. Air monitoring during the training periods will be carried out with standard industrial hygiene instruments. Following cessation of the training scenario, the subjects will follow their standard fire department procedures, which may involve using skin wipes and showering. The subjects will then be randomized to either an infrared sauna treatment, with or without exercising as determined by the fire department protocol, or no additional treatment, following their fire department protocols. Repeat dermal wipes will be collected in all subjects. Core temperature and heart rate will be monitored for up to 8 hours after training scenario. The subjects will collect all their urine after the fire training for a period of 12 hours. The urine will be analyzed for urinary PAH metabolites and potentially other toxicants from the fire, and, dependent on the available budget, similar evaluations may be carried out on the skin wipes.
Tracking Information
- NCT #
- NCT03429348
- Collaborators
- Not Provided
- Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Jefferey L Burgess, MD University of Arizona
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