Assessment of the Influence of Cryotherapy and Kinesitherapy on the Cardiovascular and respiratory systems

Abstract

Introduction. Whole body cryotherapy is becoming a more and more popular form of therapy used by people of all ages. Understanding the organism’s response to short exposure to extremely low temperatures can contribute to the safety of treatments. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of a series of whole body cryotherapy with kinesiotherapy on the reaction of cardiorespiratory system of patients at different ages and the analysis of the occurrence of adverse reactions under the influence of cryotherapy. Materials and Methods. The study included 36 patients aged 32-70 divided into two age groups. Before and after the first and after the tenth treatments, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate per minute and a match test were made. A questionnaire regarding adverse effects related to the stay in the cryochamber was also conducted. Results. After the first cryotherapy with kinesitherapy in the younger group (p = 0.005) and the older one (p = 0.03) the diastolic pressure was decreased, and after a series of treatments in the older group, also the systolic blood pressure decreased (p = 0.004). There were no changes in other parameters of the circulatory and respiratory systems. After the stay in the cryochamber, the patients most frequently reported discomfort associated with staying in a small room (7 people) and during breathing (5 people). Conclusions. Systemic cryotherapy with kinesitherapy can cause adaptive changes associated with lowering blood pressure and do not significantly affect the respiratory system. Responses of the cardiorespiratory system to the above treatments are similar in the elderly and younger. Whole body cryotherapy can cause adverse effects, but they are not very serious and do not eliminate patients from participating in the therapy. Older age is not associated with a higher incidence of adverse changes.