Cryotherapy on Muscle Function

Okan University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Muscle Activity; EMG; Cryotherapy; Cryotherapy Effect; Cold

Treatments: Other: Cold spray application; Other: Cold pack application

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06970366

OkanUNI

Details and patient eligibility

About

On-field sports injuries are a common issue that significantly impacts athletes' performance and overall health. In team sports such as football, basketball, and volleyball, muscle and joint injuries are particularly frequent. Cryotherapy, including cold pack and cold spray applications, is widely used in the acute management of such injuries due to its practicality and rapid application. It is effective in reducing pain and edema by constricting blood vessels and slowing neural activity. While its analgesic effects are well-known, some studies suggest cryotherapy may also influence balance and proprioception. This study aims to investigate the acute effects of cryotherapy (cold pack and spray) on muscle mechanical properties, muscle strength, pain and EMG activity in healthy individuals.

A randomized, controlled experimental study will be conducted on healthy participants. Subjects will be divided into two groups: cold pack application and cold spray application. Quadriceps muscle mechanical properties will be assessed using a Myoton device; muscle strength will be evaluated via dynamometry, and muscle activity will be evaluated via electromyographic (EMG) device- NeuroTrac® MyoPlus 2. Each participant will be evaluated at four time points: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after the intervention, 3 minutes post-intervention, and 5 minutes post-intervention. The effects of each modality will be compared both within and between groups to assess the short-term physiological changes induced by cryotherapy.

Enrollment: 52 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• being male
• aging 18-25
• having no history of cardiovascular or peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, neuromuscular pathology, peripheral neuropathy, lower extremity pain, or previous lower extremity surgery
• being volunteer

Exclusion criteria

• having a history of insensitivity to local heat or cold

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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52 participants in 2 patient groups

Cold pack group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive a standard cold pack application to the target muscle area while in a relaxed position. The cold pack, maintained at a temperature between 0-5°C, will be applied directly over the skin with a thin cloth barrier to prevent frostbite. The application will last for 10 minutes.

Treatment:

Other: Cold pack application

Cold spray group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive a cold spray application to the target muscle area while in a relaxed position. A commercially available vapocoolant spray (e.g., ethyl chloride or similar) will be applied from a distance of approximately 20 cm in a sweeping motion for 5-10 seconds until the skin reaches a visible cooling effect without causing frostbite or discomfort.

Treatment:

Other: Cold spray application