Acute Cryotherapy on Musculoskeletal Function and Biomarkers
Effects of Acute Cryotherapy on Musculoskeletal Function and Biomarkers for Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Muscle Damage
Who can join
Ages 18 to 30 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * apparently healthy * normotensive * non-smokers (all tobacco products including e-cigarettes) Exclusion Criteria: * Cardiovascular diseases (including hypertension) * pregnancy * any musculoskeletal injury 6 months prior the study
About the study
In 2020, Dubois and Esculier proposed a paradigm shift in the acute management of musculoskeletal injuries, advocating for the transition from the traditional PRICE protocol- Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation-to the more holistic PEACE \& LOVE framework. This updated model emphasizes Protection, Elevation, Avoiding anti-inflammatories, Compression, and Education, followed by Load, Optimism, Vascularization, and Exercise. Notably, the PEACE \& LOVE approach omits the use of ice, a decision that has sparked considerable debate. While the rationale centers on avoiding interference with the natural inflammatory and regenerative processes, this omission stands in contrast to a substantial body of animal research suggesting that cryotherapy can mitigate secondary tissue injury by reducing inflammation and metabolic activity. Despite its widespread clinical use, human studies have yet to provide conclusive evidence supporting or refuting the efficacy of cryotherapy in acute injury management, leaving clinicians to navigate between tradition, emerging evidence, and evolving philosophies of care. Even though it is important to consider natural inflammation for a better regenerative process, animal models have shown that the original injury can elicit oxidative stress, which will enhance cellular damage (secondary damage) and inflammation. Clinically, it is unknown if this secondary damage would increase functional impairment.
Therefore, this proposal will determine if cryotherapy can decrease secondary damage, after exercise-induced muscle damage, and if this decrease is associated to lower inflammation, oxidative stress and functional impairments.
What is being tested
- Cryotherapy (other)
- Eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage (other)
Sponsor: University of Texas, El Paso · Participants: 60 · Started: Nov 15, 2025
Contact the study team
- Alvaro N Gurovich, PT, PhD · Phone: 915-747-7248
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07211412
Locations in the U.S.
| Texas | The University of Texas at El Paso, Rehabilitation Sciences Complex, El Paso |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Nov 15, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.