Basic principles of cryostimulation equipment efficiency

BACKGROUND: A large number of currently available studies focus on the effects accompanying the whole-body cryostimulation impact. Information about the capabilities of the method differs significantly since the presented results are based on the use of different types of equipment. Therefore, the limits of effective parameters of the whole-body cryostimulation impact should be determined. AIM: Сompare existing technological solutions in terms of efficiency and safety, and to substantiate the known practical advantages of single-chamber cryostimulation devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The reasons for the differences in the achieved therapeutic effects and lists of indications are elucidated through comparing the published data on whole-body cryostimulation applications in medical practice based on the use of single- and multi-chamber whole-body cryostimulation devices. RESULTS: The analysis of available information has shown that various authors use the term “whole-body cryostimulation” (WBC) for two different technologies of physiotherapeutic impact on the patient’s body. They differ both in terms of organization (group and individual procedures) and technological parameters of the cryostimulation process (temperature of the cryogenic gas environment and duration of the patient’s stay in the low-temperature cabin). These differences are the reason why the changes in the skin surface temperature in multi-chamber cabins are much smaller than in single-chamber ones, which primarily accounts for the low physiotherapeutic efficiency of procedures in multi-chamber units. CONCLUSION: The analysis shows the reasons for the inconsistent assessments of the whole-body cryostimulation efficiency in different research papers. The main reason for these discrepancies is that the same term refers to two procedures that are physically different. This brings confusion into the scientific data and undermines the credibility of the whole-body cryostimulation method. Further use of cryotherapy in clinical practice requires distinguishing between group cryostimulation and individual cryostimulation.