Affective response to whole-body cryotherapy: Influence of sex, body mass index, age, time of day, and past experience

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

Increasing incidences of insomnia in adults, as well as the aging population, have been reported for their negative impact on the quality of life. Insomnia episodes may be associated with neurocognitive, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, and metabolic disorders. Epidemiological evidence also revealed the association of insomnia with oncologic and asthmatic complications, which has been indicated as bidirectional. Two therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and drugs-based therapies are being practiced for a long time. However, the adverse events associated with drugs limit their wide and long-term application. Further, Traditional Chinese medicine, acupressure, and pulsed magnetic field therapy may also provide therapeutic relief. Notably, the recently introduced cryotherapy has been demonstrated as a potential candidate for insomnia which could reduce pain, by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation. It seems that the synergistic therapeutic approach of cryotherapy and the above-mentioned approaches might offer promising prospects to further improve efficacy and safety. Considering these facts, this perspective presents a comprehensive summary of recent advances in pathological aetiologies of insomnia including COVID-19, and its therapeutic management with a greater emphasis on cryotherapy.

Affective Responses to Both Climbing and Nordic Walking Exercise Are Associated With Intermediate-Term Increases in Physical Activity in Patients With Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - A Randomized Longitudinal Controlled Clinical Pilot Trial

BACKGROUND

Exercise programs have shown anxiolytic effects in psychiatric patients. Adherence to exercise programs and subsequent long-term lifestyle change is influenced by acute affective responses of the exercise programs. This research aimed to assess acute affective responses of two different exercise modalities compared to a non-exercise control program and its effects on persisting physical activity behavior change.

METHODS

Sixty-six outpatients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder were randomly allocated to one of three groups in a randomized longitudinal controlled clinical pilot trial: climbing (n = 26), nordic walking (n = 19), social contact control (n = 21). Affective responses were assessed pre, during, and post activity. General physical activity behavior was recorded prior to participation in the program, post program, and at follow-ups three and six months after the program.

RESULTS

Multilevel modeling analyzes of 1,066 individual data points revealed increases in affective valence in the exercise sessions compared to the social contact sessions. State anxiety decreased in the climbing group compared to the social contact group. Physical activity behavior was increased immediately following the program as well as at six months follow-up in both exercise groups. A larger increase in affective valence during and after the sessions was associated with higher physical activity post program.

CONCLUSIONS

Climbing and conventional nordic walking exercise sessions revealed positive affective changes in outpatients indicating therapeutic potential of both modalities for acute emotion regulation. In accordance with theoretical models of human behavior change, it was judged that the experience of a more pleasant affective state following the exercise sessions induced more persisting effects on physical activity behavior after the exercise programs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03758599, identifier: NCT03758599.

Evaluation of the influence of whole-body cryotherapy on selected skin parameters in healthy individuals: Pilot study

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the paper was to evaluate changes in selected skin parameters (hydration, sebum level and pH of the skin) after whole-body cryotherapy (WBC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study encompassed of 16 individuals (8 men and 8 women), who participated in 15 WBC sessions. There were 4 measurements of skin parameters performed in the following way: prior to the first cryotherapy session, directly after the first session, after the 15th session, and after 3 weeks from the moment when the therapy was discontinued.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed for hydration and skin pH. Sebum level significantly decreased after 2nd cryotherapy session.

CONCLUSION

Whole-body cryotherapy seems to be safe for skin.