Whole-body cryotherapy significantly improves pain, function, and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, a new meta-analysis finds.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by persistent pain, spinal stiffness, and progressive joint deformity. While pharmacological treatments remain the cornerstone of management, interest in nonpharmacological adjunct options has grown. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC), which exposes the body to extremely low temperatures for short durations, has attracted attention for its potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
A systematic review and meta-analysis pooled data from five studies involving 310 patients with AS. Researchers searched major databases for studies published up to November 2024.
Whole-body cryotherapy produced statistically significant improvements across key outcome measures. Disease activity scores improved significantly (p < 0.001 and p = 0.015). Functional outcomes also improved (p = 0.006), as did pain intensity (p = 0.005).
Despite clinical improvements, whole-body cryotherapy did not produce a significant effect on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p = 0.684). This suggests WBC may modulate pain pathways and functional capacity, but its influence on systemic inflammatory markers warrants further investigation.
Authors conclude that whole-body cryotherapy represents a promising nonpharmacological adjunct for patients with ankylosing spondylitis, particularly for those seeking complementary approaches to managing pain and physical function. Further research is needed to standardize treatment protocols and assess long-term efficacy before WBC can be broadly integrated into clinical practice.