Exercise and Repeated Testing Improves Accuracy of Laser Doppler Assessment of Microvascular Function Following Shortened (1-min) Blood Flow Occlusion.

ObjectivesTo determine whether stability/accuracy of post-occlusive LDF following shortened, one-minute blood flow occlusion, increases in the post-exercise state or by averaging multiple measurements. MethodsSix healthy adults (3F) underwent LDF eight times at rest and following exercise, assessing post-occlusive (one-minute occlusion) reactive hyperemia in the cutaneous microcirculation of the forefinger. Measured variables included: pre- and post-occlusion steady-state perfusion (Plat1, Plat2), maximum post-occlusive perfusion (Max), PkT, and the ratio Max/Plat1. ResultsStability/accuracy of all variables improved performing measurements after exercise (p<0.05 Plat 1, Plat 2, Max and Max/Plat1). PkT and Max/Plat 1 displayed the greatest accuracy at rest (26.65.1% and 26.6 +/- 4.4% average difference, %Diff, of single measurements from individual true means, respectively); for these variables, %Diff improved to 19.5 +/- 5.3 and 17.6 +/- 2.1, respectively, following exercise. Overall, averaging multiple measurements performed at rest also improved stability/accuracy in all variables. This improvement was comparable to that obtained with a single measurement following exercise. ConclusionsA standardized exercise stimulus prior to testing significantly improves stability/accuracy of LDF following shortened, one-minute blood flow occlusion. Our results suggest the possibilities of broader applications of exercise to optimize measurements from a variety of skin perfusion methodologies.