Does photobiomodulation therapy is better than cryotherapy in muscle recovery after a high-intensity exercise? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and cryotherapy, in isolated and combined forms, as muscle recovery techniques after muscle fatigue-inducing protocol. Forty volunteers were randomly divided into five groups: a placebo group (PG); a PBMT group (PBMT); a cryotherapy group (CG); a cryotherapy-PBMT group (CPG); and a PBMT-cryotherapy group (PCG). All subjects performed four sessions at 24-h intervals, during which they submitted to isometric assessment (MVC) and blood collection in the pre-exercise period, and 5 and 60 min post-exercise, while the muscle fatigue induction protocol occurred after the pre-exercise collections. In the remaining sessions performed 24, 48, and 72 h later, only blood collections and MVCs were performed. A single treatment with PBMT and/or cryotherapy was applied after only 2 min of completing the post-5-min MVC test at the first session. In the intragroup comparison, it was found that exercise led to a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the production of MVC in all groups. Comparing the results of MVCs between groups, we observed significant increases in the MVC capacity of the PBMT, CPG, and PCG volunteers in comparison with both PG and CG (p < 0.05). We observed a significant decrease in the concentrations of the biochemical markers of oxidative damage (TBARS and PC) in all groups and muscle damage (creatine kinase-CK) in the PBMT, PCG, and CPG compared with the PG (p < 0.01). The clinical impact of these findings is clear because they demonstrate that the use of phototherapy is more effective than the use of cryotherapy for muscle recovery, additionally cryotherapy decreases PBMT efficacy.

The Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation Therapy Versus Cryotherapy for Skeletal Muscle Recovery: A Critically Appraised Topic

“…[4][5][6][7][8] There were no studies found in the literature search that supported cryotherapy over PBMT. The PBMT was more effective in preventing increases in CK levels, 4-8 blood lactate, 5 C-reactive protein, 5,7 and inflammation 6,7 after an exercise bout.…”

“…12,25 Muscle damage was noted in the included studies following the exercise protocols. This was demonstrated by an increase of CK, blood lactate, and frequency of necrosis, measured by histological analysis, in placebo treatments, 4,5,8 an ice bag application, 4,8 and coldwater immersion therapy. 5,7 Compared with placebo treated groups, cryotherapy demonstrated no difference in CK 4,5,8 or blood lactate 5 levels at any time points.…”

“…• All 5 studies [4][5][6][7][8] supported the use of PBMT rather than cryotherapy as treatment for muscle performance recovery following exercise.…”

“…The selection of studies was based on the following criteria: included a level of evidence rating of 2 or better, investigated a direct comparison between cryotherapy and PBMT application in relation to muscle recovery following strenuous exercise, and compared the effectiveness of the treatments postexercise in terms of muscle performance recovery. [4][5][6][7][8] Implications for Practice, Education, and Future Research…”

“…• Three moderate-to high-quality double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial studies 4,5 and 2 low-to moderatequality translational rat studies [6][7][8] were included in the critical appraisal.…”