Cryotherapy for acute ankle sprains: a randomised controlled study of two different icing protocols

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Cryotherapy is commonly used for acute soft tissue injuries, but its effectiveness is often based on anecdotal evidence.
• Preliminary research suggests intermittent cryotherapy may be more effective than continuous application for achieving optimal therapeutic tissue temperatures.
• The efficacy of intermittent cryotherapy in human subjects with acute injuries remained largely unknown prior to this study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of an intermittent cryotherapy protocol versus a standard cryotherapy protocol.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these protocols in managing acute ankle sprains.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 89 participants (44 athletes, 45 general public) experiencing mild/moderate acute ankle sprains.
• Participants were allocated to either standard 20-minute ice application or intermittent ice application using standardized iced water packs (0°C).
• Ankle function, pain (at rest and on activity), and swelling were assessed at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks post-injury.

Main Results:

• Participants receiving intermittent cryotherapy reported significantly less ankle pain during activity compared to the standard protocol group (p<0.05).
• No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of function, swelling, or pain at rest one week after injury.
• The study highlights a specific benefit of intermittent cryotherapy for pain management during movement.

Conclusions:

• Intermittent cryotherapy application may enhance the therapeutic benefits of ice for pain relief following acute soft tissue injuries.
• This protocol shows promise for improving pain management in patients with acute ankle sprains, particularly during functional activities.