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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05355584

Acute Effects of Cryotherapy Duration in Healthy Individuals

The study will investigate the acute effects of cryotherapy duration on shoulder muscle strength, flexibility, endurance and dynamic balance in healthy individuals.

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Key information

Conditions

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Training and Research Hospital

Muğla, Menteşe, 48000, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Cryotherapy is a practice that induces therapeutic effects by reducing tissue temperature to produce an analgesic effect. Cryotherapy application methods vary from simple ice packs and cold water immersion to whole body cryotherapy methods. The purpose of cryotherapy treatment is to reduce tissue damage, muscle spasm, edema and pain and to provide a faster rehabilitation process after injury. It is also used as a recovery technique after high-intensity training in different sports branches. Despite the proven benefits of cryotherapy according to the literature, discussions continue about its effect on some parameters and there is no consensus on the duration of cryotherapy application. In addition, although there are studies on the effects of cryotherapy on the lower extremities, studies for the upper extremity are limited and the results of these studies are inconsistent. In the literature, no study was found that evaluated the effect of cryotherapy application time on shoulder muscle strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. Therefore, in this study, the acute effects of cryotherapy duration on shoulder muscle strength, flexibility, endurance and dynamic balance in healthy individuals will be investigated and the optimum duration of cryotherapy on these parameters will be determined. In addition, the results of the research will contribute to the planned rehabilitation and exercise program.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals between the ages of 18-25 who volunteer to participate in the study
  • No upper extremity orthopedic problems
  • No history of shoulder injury or surgery in the past two years
  • Absence of Raynaud's disease or cold intolerance

Exclusion criteria

  • Having a history of shoulder injury or surgery
  • Cervical or thoracic spine disorders
  • People with any neurological disorder or known balance/proprioceptive deficits
  • Decreased sensation or decreased blood flow
  • Have Raynaud's disease or any cold intolerance

Treatment and study plan

Cryotherapy application

Other

The temperature sense test was applied on the dominant side shoulder of the participants against the risk of sensory loss or decreased sensation. In order to test cold intolerance, a cold pack was placed on the forearm of the individuals. After waiting 2-3 minutes, the region was evaluated. Individuals meeting the inclusion criteria were assigned to the groups according to the randomization list created by the computer. Then, the participants' shoulder isometric muscle strength, shoulder flexibility, shoulder endurance and shoulder balance was evaluated. Except for shoulder endurance, all measurements were repeated three times, with a 30-second rest period between each repetition. A 2-3-minute rest period was given after each test. Then, the cold pack was wrapped in a thin and wet cloth on the shoulders of the participants. The treated area was checked every 5 minutes and the participants were asked to say when they felt any unusual symptoms.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Shoulder Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Just before and within 5 minutes after cryotherapy cryotherapy

    Isometric strength of shoulder flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors, internal and external rotators will be measured with a hand dynamometer and recorded in kg. Each muscle group will be tested in three repetitions according to the procedures described by Kendall et al. The average of the three scores will be used for analysis.

  2. Change in Shoulder Flexibility

    Time frame: Just before and within 10 minutes after cryotherapy

    It will be evaluated with the Back Scratch Test. In this test, while in a standing position, the person's fingers are extended (stretched) and the arm is rotated outward with the palm facing the back, towards the ground over the shoulder and while doing this, the other arm is internally rotated, with the palm facing forward and the fingers extended. The distance between the middle fingers of both hands will be measured. If the middle fingers do not touch, the distance between them is recorded as (-) in cm, if the middle fingers touch end to end, the value is (0), if the middle finger crosses the other, the distance between the middle finger is recorded as (+) in cm. Keith et al. reported that the test had a high reliability coefficient (left hand, rxy=0.77 and right hand rxy=0.75).

  3. Change in Shoulder Functional Balance

    Time frame: Just before and within 10 minutes after cryotherapy

    The Y Balance Test kit will be used in the medial, superolateral and inferolateral directions with an angle of 135-135-90 degrees between them. While the dominant hand on the test kit is in the push-up position with the hand at the junction of the angles, the farthest point that the participants can reach with the fingertip of the other hand. and the distance he can reach will be measured in cm.

  4. Change in Shoulder Muscle Endurance

    Time frame: Just before and within 15 minutes after cryotherapy

    Modified Push-up Test will be used. In the test, individuals are positioned face down on the mat with their knees and elbows flexed. The participant will be asked to push his torso backwards by extending his elbows without disturbing the flexion of the knees. The number of correct moves in 30 seconds will be recorded.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Temperature Sensation

    Time frame: Before cryotherapy

    The test will be performed on the shoulder with eyes closed, by putting hot water (40-45 degrees) in one of two glass tubes of equal diameter and cold water (5-10 degrees) in the other. Then, these tubes will be touched to the person and the person will be asked to tell which is hot and which is cold.

  2. Cold Intolerance

    Time frame: Before cryotherapy

    There are four types of symptoms in cold intolerance: pain/discomfort, stiffness, dysesthesia (numbness or tingling), and discoloration. In order to test cold intolerance, cold application will be made on the forearm of the individuals and waited for 2-3 minutes.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Burcu Camcıoğlu Yılmaz

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Acute Effects of Cryotherapy Duration on Muscle Strength, Flexibility, Endurance and Balance in Healthy Individuals

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
May 2, 2022
Registry last updated
Nov 1, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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