Ensaio clínico comparando três modalidades de crioterapia em mulheres não grávidas Ensayo clínico comparando tres tipos de crioterapia en mujeres no embarazadas Clinical trial comparing three types of cryotherapy in non-pregnant women

O estudo teve como objetivo comparar três modalidades de crioterapia em mulheres saudáveis e não grávidas. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico randomizado, não controlado, com 32 alunas do curso de graduação de uma faculdade de enfermagem particular da cidade de São Paulo, divididas em três grupos (gelo água, gelo mole, gelo gel). Foram verificadas as temperaturas (axilar, coxa e das três bolsas de gelo) entre zero e vinte minutos. As temperaturas das bolsas foram: gelo mole de 9°C negativos a 2°C, gelo água de 0°C a 8°C e gelo gel de 11°C negativos a 2°C. Houve diferença significativa entre as médias das temperaturas da coxa com 10 minutos (p=0,007), 15 minutos (p=0,003) e 20 minutos (p=0,005). O gel foi mais eficiente no resfriamento comparado aos outros dois métodos. As três modalidades de crioterapia atingem a temperatura recomendada para analgesia e podem ser aplicadas em puérperas com dor perineal após o parto normal.<br>El estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar tres modalidades de crioterapia en mujeres saludables y no grávidas. Se trató de un ensayo clínico randomizado no controlado con 32 alumnas del curso de graduación de una facultad de enfermería particular de la ciudad de São Paulo (Brasil). Las alumnas fueron divididas en tres grupos (agua helada, hielo blando, gel helado). Fueron verificadas las temperaturas (axilar, del muslo y de las tres bolsas de hielo) entre cero y veinte minutos. Las temperaturas de las bolsas fueron: hielo blando, de -9°C a 2°C; agua helada, de 0°C a 8°C; gel helado, de -11°C a 2°C. Hubo diferencia significativa entre las medias de las temperaturas del muslo tomadas a los 10 minutos (p=0,007), 15 minutos (p=0,003) y 20 minutos (p=0,005). El gel fue más eficiente en el enfriamiento comparado con los otros dos métodos. Las tres modalidades de crioterapia alcanzan la temperatura recomendada para la analgesia y pueden ser aplicadas en mujeres con dolor perineal posparto.<br>The objective of the present study was to compare three methods of cryotherapy in healthy non-pregnant women. This is a randomized controlled clinical trial that was conducted by 32 undergraduates of a private nursing college in the city of Sao Paulo, divided into three groups (iced water, soft ice, ice gel). The temperatures were verified (axillary, thigh, of the three ice packs) between zero and twenty minutes. The temperatures of the packs were the following: soft ice, from negative 9°C to 2°C; iced water, from 0°C to 8°C; and ice gel from negative 11°C to 2°C. There was a significant difference between the average thigh temperature values at 10 minutes (p=0.007), 15 minutes (p=0.003) and 20 minutes (p=0.005). The gel was the most efficient cooling method. The three cryotherapy methods achieved the recommended temperature for analgesia and may be tested in women with perineal pain after childbirth

Effects of air-pulsed cryotherapy on neuromuscular recovery subsequent to exercise-induced muscle damage

Background: Localized cooling has been proposed as an effective strategy to limit the deleterious effects of exercise-induced muscle damage on neuromuscular function. However, the literature reports conflicting results. Purpose: This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the effects of a new treatment, localized air-pulsed cryotherapy (-30°C), on the recovery time-course of neuromuscular function following a strenuous eccentric exercise. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 24 participants were included in either a control group (CONT) or a cryotherapy group (CRYO). Immediately after 3 sets of 20 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions of elbow flexors, and then 1, 2, and 3 days after exercise, the CRYO group received a cryotherapy treatment (3 3 4 minutes at 230°C separated by 1 minute). The day before and 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 days after exercise, several parameters were quantified: maximal isometric torque and its associated maximal electromyographic activity recorded by a 64-channel electrode, delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), biceps brachii transverse relaxation time (T2) measured using magnetic resonance imaging, creatine kinase activity, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein. Results: Maximal isometric torque decreased similarly for the CONT (-33% 6 4%) and CRYO groups (231% 6 6%). No intergroup differences were found for DOMS, electromyographic activity, creatine kinase activity, and T2 level averaged across the whole biceps brachii. C-reactive protein significantly increased for CONT (193% at 72 hours,