The improvement of cognitive deficits after whole-body cryotherapy - A randomised controlled trial

Joanna Rymaszewska; Katarzyna M Lion; Bartłomiej Stańczykiewicz; Julia E Rymaszewska; Elżbieta Trypka; Lilla Pawlik-Sobecka; Izabela Kokot; Sylwia Płaczkowska; Agnieszka Zabłocka; Dorota Szcześniak

doi:10.1016/j.exger.2021.111237

The improvement of cognitive deficits after whole-body cryotherapy - A randomised controlled trial

Exp Gerontol. 2021 Apr:146:111237. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111237. Epub 2021 Jan 14.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
² Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Australia. Electronic address: k.lion@griffith.edu.au.
³ Department of Nervous System Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
⁴ Student Scientific Association at Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
⁵ Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Division of Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
⁶ Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Diagnostics Laboratory for Teaching and Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
⁷ Laboratory of Microbiome Immunobiology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.

PMID: 33454354
DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111237

Abstract

Background: Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) - a repetitive, short-term exposure to extremely low temperatures - may become an effective early intervention for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). It is a heterogeneous group of symptoms associated with cognitive dysfunction which is estimated to transform into dementia in 50% cases.

Study design: The prospective randomised double-blind sham-controlled study aimed to determine the efficacy of WBC on cognitive functioning and biological mechanisms. The study was registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12619001627145).

Methods: Participants with MCI (n = 62; (20<MoCA>26) were randomly allocated to cryogenic temperatures (-110 °C till -160 °C) (EG, n = 33) or placebo-controlled group (CG, n = 29). Cognitive functions were measured at baseline (T1), after the 10th WBC session (T2) and after 2 week-break (T3) with DemTect, SLUMS and Test Your Memory (TYM). Secondary outcome measures included quality of life (WHOQoL-BREF), self-reported well-being (VAS) and depressive symptoms (GDS). Whole blood samples (10 ml) were collected at T1 and T2 to evaluate levels of cytokines, neurotrophins, NO and biochemical parameters CRP total cholesterol, prolactin).

Results: There were significant differences between groups measured at T2 in immediate recall (DemTect) and in orientation (TYM) in favour of WBC group. Improvement in mood was detected in self-reported depressive symptoms level (WHOQoL-26; T2 p = 0.04; VAS mood T2 p = 0.02; T3 p = 0.07). The significant reduction of BDNF level was observed (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: WBC may increase the performance of cognitive functions. It seems promising to combine WBC with existing behavioural and cognitive trainings in the future studies investigating early interventions methods in MCI.

Keywords: Memory improvement; Mild cognitive impairment; Randomised controlled trial; Supportive therapy; Whole-body cryotherapy.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia
Cognition
Cognitive Dysfunction* / therapy
Cryotherapy
Humans
Prospective Studies
Quality of Life*

Associated data

ANZCTR/ACTRN12619001627145