Efficacy of Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Saidane O, Bouden S, Ben Dhia S, Rouached L, Mahmoud I, Tekaya R, Ben Tekaya A, Dziri C, Abdelmoula L
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine · 1 citation
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Funding not disclosed
Publication
- Published
- 2025-10-13 · J Integr Complement Med · vol. 32 · issue 2 · pp. 134–142
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
- Cited
- 1 citation · more than 49% of similar papers · 0.3× the field average
- References
- 22 works
- Access
- Paywalled
- Research areas
- Spondyloarthritis Studies and Treatments · Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders Research · Gout, Hyperuricemia, Uric Acid
- Keywords
- Cryotherapy, Disease, Clinical trial, Ankylosing spondylitis, MEDLINE
- MeSH
- humans, spondylitis, ankylosing, treatment outcome, cryotherapy
9 authors
From TN
- Olfa SaıdaneHôpital Charles-Nicolle; Tunis El Manar University
- Selma BoudenHôpital Charles-Nicolle; Tunis El Manar University
- Siwar Ben Dhia · correspondingHôpital Charles-Nicolle; Tunis El Manar University
- Leila RouachedHôpital Charles-Nicolle; Tunis El Manar University
- Ines MahmoudHôpital Charles-Nicolle; Tunis El Manar University
- Raoudha TekayaHôpital Charles-Nicolle; Tunis El Manar University
Abstract
Introduction
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pain, stiffness, and progressive joint deformities. While pharmacological treatments remain the standard approach, adjunct therapies like whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) have gained attention for their potential benefits in reducing pain and inflammation. However, the effectiveness of WBC in AS remains unclear.
Methods
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase for studies published up to November 2024. The study followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024620792). Primary outcomes included disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI], Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score [ASDAS]) and pain intensity (VAS), while secondary outcomes assessed function (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index [BASFI]) and inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP]). Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d, with heterogeneity evaluated through Cochrane's Q-test and Tau2 variance.
Results
Five studies involving 310 patients met the inclusion criteria. Tau-squared was estimated as zero, indicating a common effect size across studies with no dispersion of true effects. Intervention protocols varied in temperature (-60°C to -10°C) and session duration (80 sec to 3 min). WBC significantly improved BASDAI (p p = 0.015), BASFI (p = 0.006), and VAS pain scores (p = 0.005), demonstrating a strong therapeutic effect. However, no significant impact was observed on CRP levels (p = 0.684).
Conclusion
WBC significantly improved pain, function, and disease activity in patients with AS. As a promising nonpharmacological adjunct therapy, further research is needed to optimize protocols and evaluate its tolerance and long-term efficacy.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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