Contrast Therapy and the Healing of Inflamed Injuries

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2007

Vaile, J.M., N.D. Gill, and A.J. Blazevich. The effect of contrast water therapy on symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness. J. Strength Cond. Res. 21 : 697-702. 2007.-This study examined the effect of contrast water therapy (CWT) on the physiological and functional symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) following DOMS-inducing leg press exercise. Thirteen recreational athletes performed 2 experimental trials separated by 6 weeks in a randomized crossover design. On each occasion, subjects performed a DOMS-inducing leg press protocol consisting of 5 ϫ 10 eccentric contractions (180 seconds recovery between sets) at 140% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). This was followed by a 15-minute recovery period incorporating either CWT or no intervention, passive recovery (PAS). Creatine kinase concentration (CK), perceived pain, thigh volume, isometric squat strength, and weighted jump squat performance were measured prior to the eccentric exercise, immediately post recovery, and 24, 48, and 72 hours post recovery. Isometric force production was not reduced below baseline measures throughout the 72-hour data collection period following CWT (ഠ4-10%). However, following PAS, isometric force production (mean Ϯ SD) was 14.8 Ϯ 11.4% below baseline immediately post recovery (p Ͻ 0.05), 20.8 Ϯ 15.6% 24 hours post recovery (p Ͻ 0.05), and 22.5 Ϯ 12.3% 48 hours post recovery (p Ͻ 0.05). Peak power produced during the jump squat was significantly reduced (p Ͻ 0.05) following both PAS (20.9 Ϯ 13.4%) and CWT (12.8 Ϯ 8.0%), with the mean reduction in power for PAS being marginally (not significantly) greater than for CWT (effect size ϭ 0.76). Thigh volume measured immediately following CWT was significantly less than PAS. No significant differences in the changes in CK were found; in addition, there were no significant (p Ͼ 0.01) differences in perceived pain between treatments. Contrast water therapy was associated with a smaller reduction, and faster restoration, of strength and power measured by isometric force and jump squat production following DOMS-inducing leg press exercise when compared to PAS. Therefore, CWT seems to be effective in reducing and improving the recovery of functional deficiencies that result from DOMS, as opposed to passive recovery.

American Journal of Nursing Science, 2019

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent and far common debilitating form of arthritis which can be defined as a degenerative condition affecting synovial joint. Physical agents can fight the painful process such as cold or contrast hydrotherapy Aim. Evaluate the effect of cold application versus contrast hydrotherapy on pain control, functional abilities and quality of life. Setting: The study was conducted at Assuit University Hospital in out patients' clinics. Subjects: 180 adult patients with knee osteoarthritis. Tools: were selected four tools Tool I: Bio-socio demographic characteristics Tool II: 0-10 Numeric pain rating scale. Tool II1: health assessment questionnaire. Tool IV: WHOQOL-BREF Results: decreased mean of pain score between contrast group than cold group (3.5 ± 2.1 vs 7.0 ± 1.9 respectively, improve mean HAQ disability index score intervention was 17.9 ± 6.3 &12.7 ± 5.9 between cold and contrast hydrotherapy respectively and increasing mean between contrast group than cold group regarding all domain of quality of life. Conclusion: greater pain relief and functional improvements found when subjects used contrast therapy. Recommendation: Superficial contrast therapy should be included in the early effort to manage patients with osteoarthritis.

Postgraduate medicine, 2015

Nonpharmacological treatment strategies for acute musculoskeletal injury revolve around pain reduction and promotion of healing in order to facilitate a return to normal function and activity. Heat and cold therapy modalities are often used to facilitate this outcome despite prevalent confusion about which modality (heat vs cold) to use and when to use it. Most recommendations for the use of heat and cold therapy are based on empirical experience, with limited evidence to support the efficacy of specific modalities. This literature review provides information for practitioners on the use of heat and cold therapies based on the mechanisms of action, physiological effects, and the medical evidence to support their clinical use. The physiological effects of cold therapy include reductions in pain, blood flow, edema, inflammation, muscle spasm, and metabolic demand. There is limited evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) supporting the use of cold therapy following acute muscul...

European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2011

To investigate whether contrast water therapy (CWT) assists acute recovery from high-intensity running and whether a dose-response relationship exists. Methods: Ten trained male runners completed 4 trials, each commencing with a 3000-m time trial, followed by 8 × 400-m intervals with 1 min of recovery. Ten minutes postexercise, participants performed 1 of 4 recovery protocols: CWT, by alternating 1 min hot (38°C) and 1 min cold (15°C) for 6 (CWT6), 12 (CWT12), or 18 min (CWT18), or a seated rest control trial. The 3000-m time trial was repeated 2 h later. Results: 3000-m performance slowed from 632 ± 4 to 647 ± 4 s in control, 631 ± 4 to 642 ± 4 s in CWT6, 633 ± 4 to 648 ± 4 s in CWT12, and 631 ± 4 to 647 ± 4 s in CWT18. Following CWT6, performance (smallest worthwhile change of 0.3%) was substantially faster than control (87% probability, 0.8 ± 0.8% mean ± 90% confidence limit), however, there was no effect for CWT12 (34%, 0.0 ± 1.0%) or CWT18 (34%, -0.1 ± 0.8%). There were no substantial differences between conditions in exercise heart rates, or postexercise calf and thigh girths. Algometer thigh pain threshold during CWT12 was higher at all time points compared with control. Subjective measures of thermal sensation and muscle soreness were lower in all CWT conditions at some post-water-immersion time points compared with control; however, there were no consistent differences in whole body fatigue following CWT. Conclusions: Contrast water therapy for 6 min assisted acute recovery from high-intensity running; however, CWT duration did not have a dose-response effect on recovery of running performance.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2005

Objective: To examine arterial blood flow in the lower leg during warm-, cold-, and contrast-water therapy. Design: A crossover trial with repeated measurements on the dependent variable. Setting: Hydrotherapy area of a climate-controlled sports medicine clinic. Participants: A volunteer sample of 24 healthy men. Intervention: Four randomly assigned treatments were performed on each subject on consecutive days. Main Outcome Measure: Arterial blood flow (mL per 100mL/min) from baseline measurements were recorded in a 3-minute to 1-minute on-off ratio for 20 minutes by using strain gauge plethysmography. Results: Contrast therapy produced fluctuations in blood flow throughout the 20-minute treatment. Warm-water therapy (40°C) resulted in significant (PϽ.001) changes in blood flow compared with the control and contrast conditions. Cold-water therapy (13°C) did not produce significantly decreased blood flow as compared with the control condition. Conclusions: We suggest that further studies involving contrast therapy to the lower leg in injured populations be carried out to determine whether our initial findings are clinically relevant.

International journal of sports physiology and performance, 2012

To investigate whether contrast water therapy (CWT) assists acute recovery from high-intensity running and whether a dose-response relationship exists. Ten trained male runners completed 4 trials, each commencing with a 3000-m time trial, followed by 8 × 400-m intervals with 1 min of recovery. Ten minutes postexercise, participants performed 1 of 4 recovery protocols: CWT, by alternating 1 min hot (38°C) and 1 min cold (15°C) for 6 (CWT6), 12 (CWT12), or 18 min (CWT18), or a seated rest control trial. The 3000-m time trial was repeated 2 h later. 3000-m performance slowed from 632 ± 4 to 647 ± 4 s in control, 631 ± 4 to 642 ± 4 s in CWT6, 633 ± 4 to 648 ± 4 s in CWT12, and 631 ± 4 to 647 ± 4 s in CWT18. Following CWT6, performance (smallest worthwhile change of 0.3%) was substantially faster than control (87% probability, 0.8 ± 0.8% mean ± 90% confidence limit), however, there was no effect for CWT12 (34%, 0.0 ± 1.0%) or CWT18 (34%, -0.1 ± 0.8%). There were no substantial difference...

European Journal of Sport Science, 2011

Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy : official publication of the European Society for Laser Dermatology, 2017

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the modulation of tissue temperature and hyperalgesia following a partial injury to the Achilles tendon in rats. Forty-five rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a group treated with LLLT at a dose of 1.4 J (808 nm, 50 mW, 1.4 J) and a group treated with LLLT at a dose of 2.1 J (808 nm, 50 mW, 2.1 J). LLLT was administered to a single point immediately following the partial injury of the Achilles tendon. Tissue temperature and hyperalgesia were evaluated 6, 24 and 48 hours following the injury. Thus, a significant group-versus-time interaction was found for tissue temperature (F = 4.097, p = 0.001) and hyperalgesia (F = 106.605, p < 0.001), with a greater reduction in theses outcomes in the group that received LLLT at a dose of 2.1 J evaluated 48 hours after the injury. Therefore, LLLT at a wavelength of 808 nm and dose of 2.1 J administered immediately following...

Journal of Athletic Training, 2018

Context: Contrast baths (CB) is a thermal treatment modality used in sports medicine, athletic training, and rehabilitation settings. Proposed physiological effects of CB include increasing tissue blood flow and oxygenation and decreasing tissue swelling and edema to promote better healing, improved limb function, and quicker recovery.Objective: To investigate the physiological effects of CB on the intramuscular hemodynamics and oxygenation of the lower leg muscles using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), an optical method for monitoring changes in tissue oxygenated (O2Hb), deoxygenated (HHb), and total hemoglobin (tHb) as well as tissue oxygen saturation index (TSI%).Design: Descriptive laboratory study.Patients or Other Participants: Ten healthy men and women with a mean age of 29 (range = 17 ± 42) years, mean body mass index of 24.6 ± 3.2, and mean adipose tissue thickness of 6.4 ± 2.2 mm.Intervention(s): Conventional CB (10-minute baseline, 4 : 1-minute hot : cold ratio) was app...

Fisioterapia em Movimento

Introduction: Alterations caused in the metabolism of those who practice physical exercise regularly generate health benefits, however, in athletes, these alterations can cause muscle damage, so post-recovery recovery methods are extremely important for their physiological maintenance. Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of the contrast therapy technique with post-exercise recovery according to professional athletes. Methods: A questionnaire was applied that addressed the technical scientific knowledge of professional athletes over 18 years of age, of both sexes, about post-exerciseffort recovery techniques (PERT), personal information, and ethical issues, on an online platform. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, with values presented in percentages and an association through the Chi-Square test on the knowledge of PERT and other independent variables. Results: In total, 63 athletes, 15 women and 48 men, answered the online questionnaire, 71.4% were between 18 and 3...