Whole-body Cryostimulation: A Rehabilitation Booster

Paolo  Capodaglio; Riccardo Cremascoli; Paolo  Piterà; Jacopo Maria Fontana

doi:10.2340/jrmcc.v5.2810

Authors

Paolo Capodaglio Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit and Research Laboratory in Biomechanics and Rehabilitation, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, San Giuseppe Hospital, Verbania, Italy; Department of Surgical Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
Riccardo Cremascoli Department of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, San Giuseppe Hospital, Verbania, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
Paolo Piterà Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit and Research Laboratory in Biomechanics and Rehabilitation, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, San Giuseppe Hospital, Verbania, Italy; Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status (ICANS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Jacopo Maria Fontana Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit and Research Laboratory in Biomechanics and Rehabilitation, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, San Giuseppe Hospital, Verbania, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/jrmcc.v5.2810

Keywords:

Whole-body Cryostimulation, Rehabilitation, Low-grade inflammation, Oxidative stress, Cryotherapy

Abstract

A growing body of work suggests that whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) could play a role as a promising adjuvant therapy in various conditions of rehabilitation interest. In fact, WBC is currently being used to relieve symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, depression and anxiety, multiple sclerosis, sleep disturbances, muscle soreness after strenuous physical exercise, post-Covid syndrome and obesity. WBC is not only a symptomatic physical therapy but rather represents an “adaptation therapy” because of the repeated shock-like cryogenic cold stimulus over the entire body surface that induces reactions in the autonomic, endocrine, circulatory, neuromuscular and immunological systems, resulting in an adaptation that contributes to the restoration of the homeostatic state. Therefore, based on the existing evidence, WBC can be described as follows:
• a “training method” for the autonomic nervous system;
• a novel anti-inflammatory and antioxidant treatment;
• a treatment with beneficial effects on body composition and adipose tissue.
In our opinion, the powerful effects of thermal stress on the physiological responses of the human body present unique features that could potentially be exploited to boost rehabilitation outcomes in various conditions. Therefore, we believe it is important to highlight the potential use of WBC for medical use and emphasize its relevance in the field of rehabilitation with the aim of stimulating scientific studies on the efficacy of WBC as an adjuvant treatment in various conditions of rehabilitation interest.

LAY ABSTRACT
A growing body of work suggests that whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) could play a role as a promising adjuvant therapy in various conditions of rehabilitation interest, as it can act as
• a “training method” for the autonomic nervous system;
• a novel anti-inflammatory and antioxidant treatment;
• a treatment with beneficial effects on body composition and adipose tissue.
Therefore, we want to highlight the potential use of WBC for medical use and its relevance in the field of rehabilitation with the aim of stimulating scientific studies on the efficacy of WBC as an adjuvant treatment in various conditions of rehabilitation interest.