Whole-Body Cryostimulation: A Rehabilitation Booster in Post-COVID Patients? A Case Series
Source abstract
Abstract
Given the severity and prevalence of post-COVID-19 symptoms in the general population, the identification of boosters for rehabilitation programs appears to be of paramount importance. The purpose of this case series is to provide some preliminary evidence about the role of whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) as an effective adjuvant for the recovery of patients with the post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). We recruited seven patients with previously confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptoms of PCC of different severities for a comprehensive rehabilitation program, including WBC. The main symptoms were dyspnea, chronic and muscular fatigue, chronic pain, and poor sleep quality. Moreover, some patients presented high levels of hematological markers of inflammation. Because we provided a range of interventions, including nutritional and psychological support along with physical exercise and physiotherapy, we could not determine to what extent WBC may per se have accounted for the clinical and functional improvements. However, for all reported cases, it was observed that the introduction of WBC sessions represented a turning point in the patient’s subjective and objective improvements related to health and functioning.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Exercise and Physiological Responses
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Unit and Research Laboratory in Biomechanics and Rehabilitation, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy
International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status (ICANS), Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
Laboratory of Clinical Neurobiology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy
Struttura Complessa di Riabilitazione Intensiva Ospedaliera-Azienda USL Umbria 1, 06065 Passignano sul Trasimeno, Italy
Department of Surgical Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
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