Effects of cryotherapy methods on circulatory, metabolic, inflammatory and neural properties: a systematic review

Partial-body cryostimulation does not impact peripheral microvascular responsiveness but reduces muscular metabolic O2 consumption (mV˙O2) at rest

This study aimed to investigate the effect of partial-body cryostimulation (PBC) on microvascular responsiveness and muscular metabolic O2 consumption rate (mV˙O2). Twenty healthy young adults (ten males and ten females) underwent a post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) test at the flexor digitorum superficialis area before and after a 3-min PBC session and a 3-min control session. Using near-infrared spectroscopy, occlusion and reperfusion slopes were calculated: oxyhemoglobin ([HbO2]) decrease rate ([HbO2] slope 1), deoxyhaemoglobin ([HHb]) increase rate ([HHb] slope 1), [HbO2] increase rate ([HbO2] slope 2), and [HHb] increase rate ([HHb] slope 2. Using HbO2 kinetics during the occlusion, mV˙O2 was also calculated to characterize myocytes' metabolic O2 consumption. HbO2 slope 1 value was lower after PBC than before PBC (-0.15 ± 0.08 vs -0.24 ± 0.11 s-1; respectively; P < 0.05) in male participants only. A lower [HHb] slope 1 was also observed after PBC compared to before PBC (0.18 ± 0.10 vs 0.24 ± 0.16 s-1; P < 0.05) with no interaction for sex categories. mV˙O2 was significantly lower after PBC than before (pre values 14.75 ± 3.94 vs 18.47 ± 5.73 μMO2Hb.s-1; respectively; P < 0.01) with no interaction between sex categories. No changes in the calculated slope 2 were observed. These findings suggest that a single session of PBC reduces the muscular metabolic O2 needs at rest; however, it does not alter the vascular ability to provide O2 to the myocytes.

The effect of cryotherapy on postural stabilization assessed by standardized horizontal perturbations of a movable platform

BACKGROUND

Cryotherapy is a frequently used therapy in the acute treatment of sports injuries, although it has possible negative effects on dynamic postural stabilization.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the effect of cryotherapy on the postural stabilization assessed by imposed platform perturbations?

METHODS

Twenty-four healthy participants (15 male, 9 female) performed 2 test sessions (before and after cryotherapy) consisting of 4 trials each. Each trial included 30 s single leg stance (SLS) on both legs and 4 testing blocks (2 for each leg) of 30 s for the dynamic testing. A single testing block comprised 4 perturbations. After the first session, cryotherapy was applied to the right leg by placing it in ice water at a temperature between 10 °C and 12 ° for 20 min.

OUTCOME MEASURES

We assessed the Center of Pressure speed (CoPs) and the mean force variation for both static and dynamic tests. Additionally, the Time To Stability (TTS) was calculated for the perturbations.

RESULTS

In the static trials there was an interaction between leg and session present for the mean force variation (p = 0.01) with a large η² of 0.24, which shows higher variation of vertical force after application of the cryotherapy on the right leg. During the dynamic trials we found an interaction between leg and session for the TTS suggesting increase of the TTS due to the cryotherapy (p = 0.04), with a large η² of 0.17. No interaction effect was present for the CoPs in the mediolateral and anteroposterior direction (p = 0.62 and p = 0.12, respectively).

SIGNIFICANCE

Cryotherapy applied to the lower extremity results in a worse postural stabilization when assessed by platform perturbations. This might be the result of an altered balance strategy, due to impaired proprioception from the affected body part. More research is needed to examine the duration of this effect.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3, associative study.

The Effect of Local Cooling at the Elbow on Nerve Conduction Velocity and Motor Unit Behaviour: An Exploration of a Novel Neurological Assessment

Background: This study aimed to determine the effects of a standard therapeutic cooling protocol using crushed ice on the elbow to explore if changes in the motor unit (MU) firing rates in the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle are comparable to known changes in sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV) due to a regional temperature drop around a peripheral nerve. Methods: Twelve healthy individuals were assessed before cooling, immediately after cooling, and 15 min of rewarming. Assessments included two standard non-invasive nerve conduction velocity tests and a non-invasive investigation of the MU firing rates using surface electromyography decomposition (dEMG). Results: Repeated ANOVAs showed significant differences in the MU firing rates and NCV between time points (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001). All measures showed significant differences between pre and post cooling and between pre-cooling and 15 min of passive re-warming, however, no changes were seen between post cooling and rewarming except in the sensory NCV, which increased but did not return to the pre-cooled state. Conclusions: This current study showed a significant, temporary, and reversible reduction in ulnar NCV across the elbow in healthy subjects, which was associated with a significant decrease in mean MU firing rates in the FDI muscle.

Cooling Intervention (MUSTCOOL) for Prevention of Lower Extremity Ulcer Recurrence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to test our MUSTCOOL cooling patch intervention on the incidence of venous leg (VLU) and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) recurrence over a previously healed wound.

DESIGN

A 6-month randomized controlled trial.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

The target population was individuals with previously healed ulcers receiving care in outpatient wound centers in the Southeastern region of the United States. The sample comprised 140 individuals with recently healed ulcers; their average age was 62.4 years (SD = 12 years); 86 (61.4%) were male; and 47 (33.6%) were Black or African American.

METHODS

Participants were randomized to the MUSTCOOL or placebo patch. Both groups received instructions to apply the patch 3 times per week, and engage in standard of care including compression and leg elevation (VLU) or therapeutic footwear and hygiene (DFU). Demographic data were collected at baseline, and incidence measures taken at 1, 3, and 6 months. We also studied whether new ulcers developed on the adjacent leg or foot. Data were reported in frequencies/percentages.

RESULTS

One hundred seventeen participants (84%) were analyzed who completed 6 months of study participation. Thirteen percent (9/69) and 17% (12/69) developed a recurrent or new VLU, respectively; 29% (14/48) and 13% (6/48) developed a recurrent or new DFU, respectively. One person in the DFU group developed both a recurrent and new ulcer. For 9 recurrent VLUs, 6 (66.7%) recurred in the MUSTCOOL group and 3 (33.3%) receiving the placebo. Of the 15 recurrent DFUs (includes individual who developed both a recurrent and new ulcer), 10 (66.7%) recurred in the MUSTCOOL group and 5 (33.3%) receiving the placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

While the incidence of ulcer recurrent was slightly higher in the MUSTCOOL group, this finding was not considered clinically relevant. Overall ulcer recurrence during the 6-month study period was lower than reports in the literature, the time frame in which recurrence rates are highest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was prospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on December 10, 2015 (Identifier: NCT02626156)-https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02626156.

The impact of a single whole body cryostimulation treatment on selected skin properties of healthy young subjects

INTRODUCTION

Systemic cryotherapy is a popular treatment involving a short stay in a cryogenic chamber at a temperature below -100 °C. This leads to a number of physiological reactions, some of them also observed in the skin. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of a single cryogenic treatment on selected skin characteristics (skin pH, level of hydration and TEWL - Transepidermal Water Loss) in young, healthy people.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Skin characteristics in 77 young people (23.63 ± 1.36 years) were assessed. In the study, 43 women and 33 men who took part in a one-time treatment (-120 °C) lasting 3 min. Measurements were made on the forearm skin and (in men) on the face twice: before and immediately after the procedure.

RESULTS

Initial differences in hydration of the stratum corneum and TEWL were observed between the group of women and men. After one treatment, the examined characteristics of the forearm skin did not change, and an unfavorable increase in TEWL in men was indicated in the facial area.

CONCLUSIONS

A single stay in the cryogenic chamber, while maintaining the correct methodology of the treatment, is safe for the skin. The changes taking place depend on the body surface area tested, which indicates that the skin on the limbs and on the face reacts differently to the cryogenic stimulus.

The Effect of Simultaneous Sand-Ice Bag Application on Hemorrhage and Hematoma after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Angioplasty is widely used as a selective treatment for acute coronary syndromes. The complications of this procedure often lead to an increase in the length of the patients’ stay and hospital costs. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of using sand and ice bags on hematoma and hemorrhage after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, study was completed with participation of 60 patients with femoral angioplasty candidate, referring to Imam Reza hospital in Mashhad, were randomly divided into control and intervention groups. In the control group, a sand bag was placed on the location for up to 4 hours. In the intervention group, the ice bag and the sand bag were used simultaneously for 15 minutes, and then for 45 minutes, with the pressure of the sand bag only. This cycle was repeated four times. Hemorrhage (volume and weight) and hematoma (area and lump) were checked four times. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22.

Results: The rate of hemorrhage after intervention was significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group. Although the incidence of hematoma in the intervention group decreased from control to 20% to 6.7%, but the statistical test was not significant.

Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, the simultaneous sand-ice bag application can reduce post-PCI’ hemorrhage (and hematoma rate, though insignificantly) through compression and vasoconstriction.

The effect of cryotherapy application before versus after subcutaneous anticoagulant injection on pain intensity and hematoma formation: A quasi-experimental design

Objective

To investigate the effect of cryotherapy application before versus after subcutaneous anticoagulant injection (SCAI) on pain intensity and hematoma formation.

Methods

A quasi-experimental design was utilized. A convenient sample of 105 adult patients, who were admitted to one of the biggest teaching hospitals in Cairo and receiving SCAI, were recruited over a period of six months. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups: A Control group who received the routine hospital care (G1,n = 35) and two intervention group who received cryotherapy for 5-min (G2: cryotherapy applied before SCAI, n = 35; G3: cryotherapy applied after SCAI, n = 35). Demographic and medical history data sheet, Pain Numeric Rating Scale and Hematoma Formation and Size Assessment Scale were used to collect the data.

Results

The pain intensity among the patients in the two intervention groups (G2: Median = 1.0; G3: Median = 0) was significantly lower than in the control group (G1, Median = 3.0). No significant difference was found between G2 and G3(P = 0.728). Applying cryotherapy after SCAI (G3) decreased the frequency of hematoma formation (48hrs = 31.4% & 72hrs = 28.5%) compared to applying it before injection (G2, 100%) or not applying it (G1, 100%). The size of hematoma in G3 was smaller than that in G2 (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Applying cryotherapy significantly decreased pain intensity and hematoma occurrence/size. Applying cryotherapy after injection was more effective in preventing hematoma formation and decreasing its size than applying it before injection.