Serial whole-body cryotherapy in fibromyalgia is effective and alters cytokine profiles

Abstract

Introduction Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) has shown to be beneficial in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). There is cumulative evidence that cytokines play a crucial role in FM. It’s unknown whether clinical effects of WBC can be demonstrated at the molecular level and how long the effects last. Methods We compared effects of serial WBC (6 sessions (− 130 °C in 6 weeks) in FM patients and healthy controls (HC). Primary outcome was the change in pain level (visual analogue scale 0–100 mm) after 6 sessions. Secondary outcomes were a change in disease activity (revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) and pain after 3 sessions and 3 months after discontinued therapy and in cytokine levels (interleukin (IL-)1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-10). The patients’ opinions on the satisfaction, effectiveness and significance of WBC were evaluated. Results Twenty-three FM patients and 30 HC were enrolled. WBC resulted in a significant reduction in pain and disease activity after 3 and 6 sessions. No clinical benefit could be measured 3 months after discontinued treatment. Overall, probands were satisfied with WBC and considered WBC to be important and effective. FM patients had significantly different levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 at each reading point compared to HC. Levels of IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly altered over time in FM patients. Compared to HC FM patients showed a significantly different response of IL1, − 6 and − 10 to WBC. Conclusion Serial WBC is a fast acting and effective treatment for FM. Proven effects of WBC may be explained by changes in cytokines.

Whole Body Cryostimulation: A New Adjuvant Treatment in Central Sensitization Syndromes? An Expert Opinion

“…Patients affected by fibromyalgia (FM) show persistent impairment of pain modulation systems, such as central nociceptive hyperexcitability or enhancement, and reduced inhibitory responsiveness [ 52 ]. This prolonged impairment, combined with an imbalance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α), leads to CS and the induction and maintenance of pain perception, sustaining FM-related hyperalgesia [ 53 , 54 , 55 ]. In FM, WBC may help relieve pain by modulating the release of neurotransmitters and hormones involved in the pain pathway, such as endorphins, serotonin, and norepinephrine, addressing both neurological and psychological components [ 16 , 55 ].…”

Kältetherapie: Update zur Evidenz, zur Verordnung und Hypothesen zur Schmerzminderung bei entzündlich rheumatischen Erkrankungen

“…Bei gleichem Studiendesign war auch bei Arthritis/Spondylitis psoriatica [15] eine signifikante Schmerzreduktion detektierbar, allerdings ohne signifikante Änderungen bei den molekularen Markern. Bei primären und sekundären (im Rahmen einer entzündlich rheumatischen Grunderkrankung) Fibromyalgie-Syndrom bewirkte eine serielle GKKT ebenfalls eine signifikante Schmerzreduktion und Alterierung von Zytokinen (IL-1, -6, -10, TNFα) [16].…”

Clinical Spectrum and Trajectory of Innovative Therapeutic Interventions for Insomnia: A Perspective

“…Taking this into consideration, even a few global companies including Euda wellness, a subsidiary company of Victory Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Taipei, Taiwan, are offering WBC for insomnia. The therapeutic potential of cryotherapy in pain has been associated with its potential to suppress oxidative stress, inflammation, edema, and neurotransmission in pain fibers [ 359 , 361 , 362 ], by lowering the level of cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α [ 363 ]. The WBC further improves the efficacy of kinesiotherapy two-folds resulting in improved pain and spinal movement among ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients [ 364 ] by lowering CRP, fibrinogen, TNF- α, ICAM-1 as well as a considerable reduction in lipid profile, atherosclerosis plaque instability, oxidative stress, [ 365 , 366 ].…”