Cryotherapy
Cold chamber & cryotherapy: Studies on whole-body cold applications in a therapeutic context
"Whole-body cold therapy is not only a very effective therapy, it is also pleasantly refreshing, mood-enhancing, has a performance-enhancing effect and strengthens self-confidence"
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy (cold therapy) is the targeted use of cold to produce therapeutic effects.
Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) is the brief application of extreme cold to the entire surface of the body. GKKT is a short-term passive physical therapy with a systemic effect, which is applied in a cold chamber.
Studies on whole-body cryotherapy
Although with whole-body cryotherapy, as with many physical therapies, the evidence of studies is difficult to prove by blinding, its worldwide dissemination has ensured a large body of experience with regard to indications. For example, we refer to the recognition of whole-body cold therapy as a treatment method for inflammatory joint diseases and pain syndromes by the German Pension Insurance.
Without claiming to be complete, you will find below a selection of studies on whole-body cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy: General
Papenfuss, W.: Die Kraft aus der Kälte – Ganzkörperkältetherapie bei -85 °C bis -130 ° Klinik, Prävention, Sport und Wellness. 5. Auflage, Ed. K, 2022, ISBN 978-3-938912-11-9. Ein Präsenzexemplar dieses Standardwerks findest du in unserer Studiobibliothek.
Konsensus-Erklärung zur Ganzkörper-Kältetherapie (GKKT): Bad Vöslau, Niederösterreich, Februar 2006. Anlässlich des Zweiten Österreichischen Symposiums zur GKKT am 17. und 18. 02. 2006 im Kurzentrum Bad Vöslau fand eine Konsensus – Konferenz statt. https://www.kryowell.de/konsensus-erklaerung-zur-ganzkoerper-kaeltetherapie-gkkt.html
Cryotherapy: Health
Klemm. P., Asendorf, T., Aykara, I., Frommer, K., Dischereit, G., Müller-Ladner, U., Neumann, E., Lange, U.: Whole-body cryotherapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a monocentric, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial; 2022 Mar 1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35238767/
Braun, KP., et al.: Ganzkörperkältetherapie bei Patienten mit entzündlichen rheumatischen Erkrankungen. Eine prospektive Studie. Med Klin (Munich). 2009 Mar 15;104(3):192-6. Epub 2009 Apr 1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19337708 (german)
Metzger, D. et al.: Ganzkörperkältetherapie in der Rehabilitation von Patienten mit rheumatischen Erkrankungen. Eine Pilot-Studie. Rehabilitation (Stuttgart) Apr.2000, 39(2): 93-100, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10832164 (german)
Księżopolska-Orłowska K , et al.: Complex rehabilitation and the clinical condition of working rheumatoid arthritis patients: does cryotherapy always overtop traditional rehabilitat… – PubMed / https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26853597
Hirvonen, HE., et al.: Effectiveness of different cryotherapies on pain and disease activity in active rheumatoid arthritis. A randomised single blinded controlled trial. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2006 May-Jun;24(3):295-301. / https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16870097
Giemza, C., et al.: Effect of frequent WBC treatments on the back pain therapy in elderly men. Aging Male. 2015;18(3):135-42. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2014.949660. / https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25133646
Vitenet, M., et al.: Effect of whole body cryotherapy interventions on health-related quality of life in fibromyalgia patients: A randomized controlled trial. Complement. Ther. Med. 2018 Feb;36:6-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.10.011. / https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29458933
Cryotherapy: Sports & Fitness
Joch, W., Ückert, S., Fricke, R.: Die Bedeutung kurzfristig und hoch dosierter Kälteapplikation für die Realisierung sportlicher Leistung,BI Sport Uni Münster, Jahrbuch 2003 (german) – download
Rose, C. et al.: Whole-body Cryotherapy as a Recovery Technique after Exercise: A Review of the Literature. Int J Sports Med. 2017 Dec;38(14):1049-1060. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-114861. Epub 2017 Nov 21. / https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29161748
Pournot, H., Bieuzen, F., Louis, J., Fillard, J-R., Barbiche, E., et al. (2011): Time-Course of Changes in Inflammatory Response after Whole-Body Cryotherapy Multi Exposures following Severe Exercise. PLoS ONE 6(7): e22748. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022748 / PLOS ONE | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0022748
Hausswirth, C., Louis, J., Bieuzen, F., Pournot, H., Fournier, J., et al. (2011): Effects of Whole-Body Cryotherapy vs. Far-Infrared vs. Passive Modalities on Recovery from Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Highly-Trained Runners. PLoS ONE 6(12): e27749. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0027749 / PLOS ONE | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0027749
Hausswirth, C. Post-exercise recovery: Effects of whole-body cryostimulation exposure, Aspetar: SPorts Medical Journal https://www.aspetar.com/journal/upload/PDF/201532392358.pdf
Cryotherapy: Wellness & Beauty
Douzi W, Dupuy O, Tanneau M, Boucard G, Bouzigon R, Dugué B. 3-min whole body cryotherapy/cryostimulation after training in the evening improves sleep quality in physically active men. Eur J Sport Sci. 2019 Jul;19(6):860-867. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1551937. Epub 2018 Dec 14. PMID: 30551730. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30551730/
Wiecek M, Szymura J, Sproull J, Szygula Z. Whole-Body Cryotherapy Is an Effective Method of Reducing Abdominal Obesity in Menopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome. J Clin Med. 2020 Aug 30;9(9):2797. doi: 10.3390/jcm9092797. PMID: 32872598; PMCID: PMC7563463. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7563463/
Wojciak G, Szymura J, Szygula Z, Gradek J, Wiecek M. The Effect of Repeated Whole-Body Cryotherapy on Sirt1 and Sirt3 Concentrations and Oxidative Status in Older and Young Men Performing Different Levels of Physical Activity. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Dec 31;10(1):37. doi: 10.3390/antiox10010037. PMID: 33396247; PMCID: PMC7823702. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7823702/
No promise of healing
We would like to point out that our applications are not medical therapy procedures in the sense of generally recognized scientific methods. The statements made here about the mode of action and properties of our applications result from findings in connection with the various applications. We expressly point out that no promise of healing or health is made and no alleviation of illnesses is guaranteed or promised. None of the treatments offered are a substitute for personal advice from medical professionals. We also expressly point out that none of the information provided is used to make self-diagnoses or to apply therapies.