# Developing a Feedback-Controlled Heated Vest to Address Thermoregulatory Dysfunction in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury

> **NIH VA I21** · JAMES J PETERS VA  MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), particularly [cervical injuries (tetraplegia]), are unable to effectively
regulate core body temperature (Tcore) due to interruption of motor, sensory, and sympathetic pathways.
Thus, control of distal extremity vasoconstriction (heat conservation) and shivering thermogenesis (heat
production) are impaired, and the ability to maintain a constant Tcore is compromised. Persons with tetraplegia
often report “feeling cold,” frequently present with subnormal Tcore (35-36.5°C), and are particularly vulnerable
to hypothermia (Tcore<35°C) and associated impairment in cognitive performance, even when exposed to
temperatures that are comfortable for able-bodied (AB) individuals. Cool seasonal temperatures have been
shown to have a greater adverse effect on personal comfort, activities of daily living (ADLs), and vital daily
activities in persons with tetraplegia than that of AB controls. Conversely, a minimal increase in Tcore from
subnormal to normothermia, secondary to ambient heat may improve cognitive performance. Interventions
addressing the tendency to poikilothermia and enhanced vulnerability to hypothermia in persons with
[tetraplegia] are limited. Therefore, exploration of safe and efficacious bioengineering solutions to address the
physiological, cognitive, and quality of life (QoL) issues associated with the routine exposure to cool
temperatures that persons with [tetraplegia] often encounter is warranted.
The goals of this pilot study in persons with [tetraplegia] are: 1) to study the safety and tolerability of a
feedback-controlled heated vest and then 2) to study the efficacy of this heated vest to minimize the expected
decline in Tcore and associated deterioration of cognitive performance during 2 hours of cool exposure.
This single-group (persons with [tetraplegia]), two-condition (heated vest, non-heated vest) prospective study is
being proposed to compare the physiological and cognitive responses to controlled cool exposure (18°C) with
a prototype heated vest vs. a non-heated vest (control condition). [Eight] subjects with [tetraplegia (C3-T1], AIS
A and B) and [eight] AB controls will be recruited for study participation. AB subjects will be observed to ensure
the safety of the vest, which will be accomplished by determining the temperatures of the vest and subjective
thermal sensation of less than “hot” during a cool condition that will be identical to that to which subjects with
SCI will be exposed. Subjects with [tetraplegia] will test the efficacy of the heated vest, i.e. preventing the
expected decline in Tcore and cognitive performance and increased thermal comfort.
Primary Specific Aim: In a cool thermal chamber (18°C), AB controls will wear the heated vest at maximal
setting for 120 minutes in the seated position to determine (1) maximum temperatures of all areas of the
interior (user’s side) of the heated vest and (2) subjective comfort of the heated vest (safety testing).
Primary Hypothese...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10310398
- **Project number:** 5I21RX002884-03
- **Recipient organization:** JAMES J PETERS VA  MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** John P Handrakis
- **Activity code:** I21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-11-01 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10310398

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10310398, Developing a Feedback-Controlled Heated Vest to Address Thermoregulatory Dysfunction in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury (5I21RX002884-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10310398. Licensed CC0.

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