CRYOTHERAPY APPLIED TO THE ANKLE: STUDY TO EXPLORE DELETERAL EFFECTS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WITHOUT STRAIN

• Grant number: 24/04815-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Marcelo Pastre
• Grantee: Tatiane Mayumi Nakayama
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Considering the current state of the art, composed of conflicting results regarding the benefits of cryotherapy in ankle sprain situations, the popularity of this technique's use regardless of evidence, and the exploration of its deleterious effects only in healthy subjects, the objective of the present study was established: to evaluate the effects of ankle cryotherapy on tone, strength, thermal comfort, skin temperature, joint mobility, and balance parameters in two different groups (individuals who have previously experienced ankle sprain and those who have never experienced ankle sprain). Additionally, these groups will be compared to establish similarities or significant differences in their responses. Furthermore, associations between the variables used to assess deleterious effects of cryotherapy application will be explored. For this purpose, 80 volunteers will be recruited, with 40 in each group, who will undergo the proposed cross-over design at two time points: intervention and control. Thus, the scenarios will be defined considering the following groups: AS (Ankle Sprain + Technique) and NAS (No Ankle Sprain + Technique). The following will be assessed: skin surface temperature using infrared thermal camera, muscle tone using myotonometry, dorsiflexion amplitude (Weight-bearing Lunge Test - WBLT), dynamic balance of the lower limb by the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT), side-hop test, dorsiflexor strength test, balance perception, and thermal comfort using a Likert-type scale. Data normality will be assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. For data analysis, the following comparisons will be made: i) AS vs AC, ii) AS vs NAS, iii) NAS vs NAC, and iv) AC vs NAC. The outcomes of function, skin temperature, joint mobility, and muscle tone will be compared using Generalized Linear Mixed Models, while comparisons for thermal comfort and perceived performance in functional testing will be conducted using Generalized Estimating Equations adjusted to the data. To explore the association of subjective variables with function, Pearson's or Spearman's correlation test will be performed according to the data distribution. All analyses will assume a significance level of 0.05.