Impact of skin tone, environmental, and technical factors on thermal imaging.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Erythema, an early visual indicator of tissue damage preceding pressure injuries (PrIs), presents as redness in light skin tones but is harder to detect in dark skin tones. While thermography shows promise for early PrI detection, validation across different skin tones remains limited. Furthermore, most protocols and models have been developed under highly controlled conditions.

Objective

To evaluate how environmental and technical factors (i.e., patient positioning, lighting, distance, camera type) and skin tone impact thermal imaging measurements and temperature change.

Methods

This pre-post experimental study enrolled 35 healthy adults (30 with Monk Skin Tone Scale ≥6). Melanin Index was measured on the volar forearm using the SkinColorCatch®. After base

SUBMITTER: Sonenblum SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12422453 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature