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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07624032

PNF Versus Cryotherapy in Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

This randomized, double-blind, single-center pilot clinical trial evaluated three interventions for delayed onset muscle soreness in the hamstring muscles.

Twenty-nine untrained adults were included. Delayed onset muscle soreness was induced using two eccentric hamstring exercises. Participants were then assigned to one of three groups: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, local cryotherapy, or placebo consisting of water with sugar.

The main outcome was pressure pain threshold in the hamstring muscles. Other outcomes included knee range of motion, hamstring strength, pain intensity, perceived exertion, and blood lactate levels. Measurements were taken before the eccentric exercise, 24 hours after exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after exercise.

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Key information

Conditions

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Clínica Universitaria Salus Infirmorum, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca

Madrid, 28015, Spain

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged between 18 and 45 years.
  • Participants who did not usually perform physical exercise or whose exercise was not focused on the lower limbs.
  • Participants who had previously experienced delayed onset muscle soreness and were familiar with its effects.

Exclusion criteria

  • Musculoskeletal injury of the lower limb.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Diabetes.
  • Cardiovascular problems.
  • History of cancer.
  • Autoimmune diseases, including Raynaud disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Sensory disorders.
  • Skin disorders.
  • Skin conditions.
  • Peripheral venous or lymphatic vascular insufficiency.

Treatment and study plan

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation

Other

A contract-relax-antagonist-contract proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique was applied to the hamstring muscles. The protocol included isometric hamstring contraction, rest, quadriceps contraction, and passive movement into a deeper hamstring stretch. The protocol was repeated twice on each leg.

Local Cryotherapy

Other

Participants were placed in prone position and an ice pack was applied over the hamstring muscles for 20 minutes. A thin cloth was placed between the ice pack and the skin to avoid direct contact.

Placebo: Water With Sugar

Other

Participants consumed 200 mL of water with 5 g of dissolved sugar after the eccentric exercise protocol.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Pressure Pain Threshold in the Hamstring Muscles

    Time frame: Baseline, 24 hours after eccentric exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after eccentric exercise

    Pressure pain threshold was assessed using a pressure algometer over three points of maximum pain in the hamstring muscles. Three measurements were taken and the mean value was calculated.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Active Knee Range of Motion

    Time frame: Baseline, 24 hours after eccentric exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after eccentric exercise

    Active knee flexion and extension range of motion were assessed using a manual goniometer.

  2. Change in Hamstring Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline, 24 hours after eccentric exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after eccentric exercise

    Maximum hamstring strength was assessed using a handheld dynamometer.

  3. Change in Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline, 24 hours after eccentric exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after eccentric exercise

    Pain intensity was assessed using the 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity and therefore a worse outcome.

  4. Change in Blood Lactate Concentration

    Time frame: Before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 48 hours after exercise

    Blood lactate concentration was measured using a Lactate Edge device.

  5. Perceived Exertion After Eccentric Exercise

    Time frame: Immediately after eccentric exercise

    Perceived exertion was assessed using the Modified Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale after completion of the eccentric exercise protocol. Scores range from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no exertion and 10 indicates maximal exertion. Higher scores indicate greater perceived exertion and therefore a worse outcome.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Versus Cryotherapy and Placebo on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 3, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 16, 2026

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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