Short answer

When designing environments or products for older adults, especially those with cognitive impairments, incorporate objective physiological monitoring alongside subjective feedback to ensure thermal comfort and safety.

Field: Human Factors
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2020)
Method: Observational study with physiological measurements and self-reporting.
Sample: 69 participants
Evidence: Strong effect

Older adults with dementia exhibit different physiological responses to thermal environments, requiring tailored comfort assessments beyond self-reporting. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Using Observational study with physiological measurements and self-reporting. with 69 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing environments or products for older adults, especially those with cognitive impairments, incorporate objective physiological monitoring alongside subjective feedback to ensure thermal comfort and safety.

Study

Human FactorsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Infrared thermography reveals distinct thermal comfort needs in older adults with dementia

Older adults with dementia exhibit different physiological responses to thermal environments, requiring tailored comfort assessments beyond self-reporting.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2020

Key Findings

01Residents with dementia experienced significantly lower ambient temperatures.
02Residents with dementia reported feeling 'cool/cold' more frequently than those without dementia.
03Infrared thermography showed distinct patterns of peripheral vasoconstriction in residents with dementia, correlating with lower extremity temperatures.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing or evaluating the thermal environment of care facilities, consider using infrared thermography to identify residents who may be experiencing discomfort but are unable to articulate it effectively.

Project actions

01When researching user comfort, consider how cognitive abilities might affect a user's ability to communicate their needs.
02Explore non-verbal indicators of comfort or discomfort in your design project.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the relationship between self-reported thermal sensation and extremity skin temperature in care home residents with and without dementia, utilizing infrared thermography.

MethodObservational study with physiological measurements and self-reporting.

ProcedureParticipants were categorized based on cognitive function (dementia vs. no dementia) using the Abbreviated Mental Test. Tympanic membrane temperature, thermal sensation ratings, and infrared thermal mapping of the hand and forearm were recorded in controlled ambient temperatures. Temperature gradients were analyzed.

Sample69 participants

ContextResidential care homes for older adults.

Variables

IV["Presence of dementia","Ambient temperature"]

DV["Thermal sensation rating","Tympanic membrane temperature","Fingertip skin temperature","Temperature gradients (fingertip-wrist, fingertip-distal forearm)"]

CV["Afebrile status","Age range","Time for settling and explanation","Non-dominant hand and forearm for thermography"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilized objective measurement (infrared thermography) alongside subjective reporting.
+Investigated a vulnerable and often overlooked population group.

Limitations

It can be challenging to recruit participants with specific cognitive conditions, and ethical considerations are paramount when conducting research with vulnerable populations.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be enhanced by standardizing the time of day for measurements and ensuring consistent ambient temperature control. Validity is supported by the correlation between physiological measures and self-reported sensation, and the use of established cognitive screening tools.

Think critically

How might the design of clothing or bedding be adapted to better support the thermal comfort of older adults with dementia, considering their physiological responses?

Design Principles

"Thermal comfort for vulnerable populations requires objective physiological assessment to supplement subjective reporting."

This research highlights that individuals with cognitive impairments may not accurately communicate their thermal comfort needs. Designers and facility managers must consider objective physiological measures, like skin temperature, to ensure the well-being of vulnerable populations.

What This Means for Your Design

People with dementia might feel colder than others, even in the same room, and their hands might show this with cooler skin temperatures. Infrared cameras can help see this.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of considering user demographics and their specific needs in your design project.
2.Use the findings to justify the need for objective testing methods beyond user surveys in your design process.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that individuals with cognitive impairments, such as dementia, may have distinct thermal comfort requirements that are not always accurately conveyed through self-reporting. Studies utilizing infrared thermography have shown physiological differences in skin temperature and circulation, suggesting a greater sensitivity to cooler environments. This underscores the importance of employing objective measurement techniques alongside subjective feedback when designing for diverse user groups, particularly in care settings.

Source

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Thermal Sensation in Older People with and without Dementia Living in Residential Care: New Assessment Approaches to Thermal Comfort Using Infrared Thermography

journal · 2020

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about infrared thermography reveals distinct thermal comfort needs in older adults with dementia?: When designing environments or products for older adults, especially those with cognitive impairments, incorporate objective physiological monitoring alongside subjective feedback to ensure thermal comfort and safety. Evidence: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2020).
Why does "Infrared thermography reveals distinct thermal comfort needs in older adults with dementia" matter for design?: This research highlights that individuals with cognitive impairments may not accurately communicate their thermal comfort needs. Designers and facility managers must consider objective physiological measures, like skin temperature, to ensure the well-being of vulnerable populations.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing environments or products for older adults, especially those with cognitive impairments, incorporate objective physiological monitoring alongside subjective feedback to ensure thermal comfort and safety.
What were the main findings?: Residents with dementia experienced significantly lower ambient temperatures.. Residents with dementia reported feeling 'cool/cold' more frequently than those without dementia.. Infrared thermography showed distinct patterns of peripheral vasoconstriction in residents with dementia, correlating with lower extremity temperatures.
What research method was used?: Observational study with physiological measurements and self-reporting. with 69 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or evaluating the thermal environment of care facilities, consider using infrared thermography to identify residents who may be experiencing discomfort but are unable to articulate it effectively.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific age group and setting; findings may not generalize to younger individuals or different living environments. The Abbreviated Mental Test is a screening tool, not a definitive diagnostic for dementia.