Complement Ther Med. 2021 Oct 13:102783. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102783. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To give an overview of the nature and methodological quality of studies on whole body cryotherapy (WBC) as add-on intervention for mental health problems.
METHODS: A meta-analysis according to PRISMA guidelines was conducted (Prospero registration: CRD42020167443). Databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library were searched. Risk of bias was scored according to the Cochrane ROBINS-I-tool to which an extra bias-dimension of allegiance bias was added. Within and between Hedges’ g pooled effect sizes were calculated for the main aspect of mental health measured. Treatment efficacy was examined using a random effects model. Heterogeneity was examined through identification of visual outliers and by I2 statistics.
RESULTS: Out of 196 articles coming up from the search, ten studies met all inclusion criteria, six of which were (randomized) controlled trials. Together these studies report on a total of 294 participants receiving WBC. The within-group pooled effect size for mental health problems is large (Hedges’ g = 1.63, CI: 1.05-2.21), with high heterogeneity (I2 = 93%). Subgroup analyses on depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) showed a diminution of heterogeneity to moderate. Effect sizes for depressive symptoms are very large (Hedges’ g = 2.95, CI: 2.44-3.45) and for QOL medium (Hedges’ g = 0.70, CI: 0.15-1.24). The between-group pooled effect size is medium (Hedges’ g = 0.76, CI: 0.17-1.36).
CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate preliminary evidence for WBC as efficacious add-on intervention for mental health problems, especially depressive symptoms. Further research in the form of RCTs with larger numbers of participants is needed.
PMID:34655758 | DOI:10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102783
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