Cryotherapy on Muscle Function

NCT06970366 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: OkanUNI
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Cold; Cryotherapy; Cryotherapy Effect; Muscle Activity; EMG

Keywords

cryotherapy; muscle activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Muscle Properties

  The assessment of muscle mechanical properties will be performed using the MyotonPRO device. Measurements will be taken bilaterally from the quadriceps muscle, specifically targeting the knee extensors.

  from the application (baseline), immediately after the application, 3 minutes post-application, and to 5 minutes post-application.

• Muscle strength

  The isometric muscle strength of the participants' dominant quadriceps muscle will be measured using a dynamometer. Muscle strength assessments will be performed with a calibrated Lafayette dynamometer (model 01163; Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette, IN, USA). Participants will receive verbal instructions about the procedure prior to testing. During the assessment, care will be taken to ensure that the device does not slip, that appropriate force is applied, that no compensatory movements occur in the tested extremity or other body parts, and that weakness is not masked by body positioning. For knee extensor evaluation, participants will be seated with their hands crossed over their shoulders, hips flexed at 90°, and knees locked at 60° of extension.

  from the application (baseline), immediately after the application, 3 minutes post-application, and to 5 minutes post-application.

• Muscle activity

  The EMG activity of the participants' dominant quadriceps muscle will be measured using a surface electromyography (EMG) device. For this assessment, the NeuroTrac® MyoPlus 2 dual-channel EMG ETS device (Verity Medical Ltd., UK) will be used. The device will be connected to a computer via dedicated software. To measure muscle activity, 32 mm diameter, circular, adhesive silver-silver chloride (Ag-AgCl) electrodes will be used. Three electrodes will be prepared individually for each participant. Prior to placement, the skin area where the surface electrodes will be attached will be cleaned with an alcohol wipe to reduce skin impedance. A reference electrode will be placed on the leg to eliminate external interference, while the active electrodes will be positioned directly over the target muscle.

  from the application (baseline), immediately after the application, 3 minutes post-application, and to 5 minutes post-application.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Pressure pain threshold

  from the application (baseline), immediately after the application, 3 minutes post-application, and to 5 minutes post-application.

Study Arms (2)

Cold pack group

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Other: Cold pack application

Cold spray group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Other: Cold spray application

Interventions

Cold pack application OTHER

Cold pack application

Cold pack group

Cold spray application OTHER

Cold spray application

Cold spray group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• having a history of insensitivity to local heat or cold

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Okan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Okan University

Istanbul, tuzla, 34000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Cryotherapy for acute musculoskeletal injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Common Cold

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiratory Tract Infections; Infections; Picornaviridae Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assist. Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 6, 2025
• First Posted: May 14, 2025
• Study Start: May 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 31, 2025
• Study Completion: June 2, 2025
• Last Updated: June 6, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

TU (1)