2024, Vol. 11, Issue 5, Part F

Methods: Thirteen participants (mean age: 28.2±5.3 years) underwent two experimental conditions (control and menthol) in a randomized crossover design. Each session involved a 60-minute cooling protocol with measurements of tympanic temperature, cutaneous blood flux, cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and perception of frostiness taken at baseline and at 10-minute intervals.

Results: Tympanic temperature decreased significantly over time in both conditions (p<0.0001), with no significant differences between them. Cutaneous blood flux and CVC remained stable across both conditions, indicating no significant impact of menthol on microvascular function. A transient decrease in MAP was observed at 30 minutes in the menthol condition (p<0.05). Perception of frostiness was significantly higher in the menthol condition at the onset and up to 30 minutes of cooling (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Both traditional and menthol-enhanced neck cooling effectively reduce core body temperature. Menthol-enhanced cooling provides a stronger subjective cooling sensation without significantly altering peripheral blood flow or vascular conductance, making it a valuable addition to thermoregulatory interventions where comfort and adherence are critical. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects and cardiovascular implications of menthol application.