Contrast-Bath Therapy and Sensation Over the Anterior Talofibular Ligament

Abstract

Context:It has been suggested that contrast-bath therapy alters sensation and enables patients to return to exercise more quickly.Objective:To determine whether contrast-bath therapy alters sensation of pressure in the ankle.Design:A 2 × 4 × 4 factorial design with repeated measures on 2 factors. Independent variables included gender, time (preapplication and 1, 6, and 11 min postapplication), and treatment (control, cold bath, hot bath, and contrast bath).Setting:Laboratory.Participants:12 men and 12 women, college track athletes actively engaged in preseason workouts 5-6 days/wk.Interventions:Sensation of pressure was tested preapplication and 1, 6, and 11 min postapplication. Each treatment lasted 20 min.Main Outcome Measure:Sensation of pressure at baseline and 1, 6, and 11 min postapplication over the anterior talofibular ligament of the right ankle.Results:There was no difference between genders. Sensation of pressure was greater for the heat condition than the other 3 conditions at 1 and 6 min postapplication. During the heating condition, sensation of pressure was greater at 1 and 6 min postapplication than during preapplication. During the contrast condition, sensation of pressure was less at 6 min postapplication than during preapplication.Conclusion:Contrast- and cold-bath therapy (at 13 °C) do not affect numbness.