Abstract

Background. The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of whole-body cryotherapy on some selected parameters of the circulatory system. Material and methods. The investigation involved 7 male patients with ankylosing spondylitis. They were exposed to a cycle of 10 everyday 2 minute-lasting procedures of whole-body cryotherapy at a temperature of -130°C which was followed by subsequent kinesitherapy. Patients treated with drugs influencing the circulatory system and suffering from circulation and hormonal system disorders were excluded. During the day preceding the beginning of cryotherapy procedures and once more, after finishing whole-body cryotherapy cycle, echocardiography with calculation of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVET), record and analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), late ventricular potentials and QT dispersion were made. Results. No significant differences between ejection fraction, late ventricular potentials, QT dispersion values before and after the end of cryotherapy cycle were found. Whole-body cryotherapy evoked increase in total heart rate variability, which was statistically significant for most of the parameters in time analysis. Spectrum analysis showed statistically insignificant increase in spectrum power in the full range of analyzed frequencies. Conclusions. Long-lasting whole-body cryotherapy does not influence ejection fraction, late ventricular potentials and QT dispersion in patients without significant pathology of circulation. Cryogenic temperatures applied on the whole-body exerts beneficial influence of whole-body cryotherapy on adaptive processes of vegetative nervous system.

Key words:

whole-body cryotherapy, circulation system, ejection fraction, heart rate variability, late ventricular potentials, QT dispersion