Microwave irradiation of the human forearm and hand

Abstract

Physiotherapeutic doses of microwave irradiation to the forearm or hand of normal human subjects increased the surface temperature of the irradiated tissues by 10°C and increased local blood flow more than five-fold. At the conclusion of irradiation, blood flow remained elevated for a further 20 minutes. Although resting blood flows varied little between individuals, there was substantial variability in responses to microwave irradiation. In particular, female subjects responded with larger increases in flow than did males. The results are discussed in terms of the likely mechanisms underlying the effects of microwave irradiation on limb blood flow. The predominant mechanism appears to be an increase in metabolic rate.