The Effect of Soft Tissue Injury Cold Application Duration on Symptoms, Edema, Joint Mobility, and Patient...

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cold application time on symptoms, edema, and patient satisfaction in soft tissue injuries.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 105 patients who were treated with cold applications of different durations (10, 20, and 30 minutes). Interview-assisted data were collected on symptoms and patient satisfaction. Edema and range of motion were objectively measured in patients with an ankle injury. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Pain reduction was greatest in the 20 minutes of cold application group (F = 46.35, P < 0.05). Symptoms of discomfort such as tingling (F = 65.93, P < 0.05), redness (F = 61.95, P < 0.05), itching (F = 36.49, P < 0.05), numbness (F = 57.94, P < 0.05), and burning (F = 55.40, P < 0.05) were more frequent in the group with 30 minutes of cold application. Both joint mobility (F = 45.28, P < 0.05) and patient satisfaction (F = 130.99, P < 0.05) were the highest in the group with 20 minutes of cold application.

Our findings suggest that a duration of 20 minutes for cold application for a soft tissue ankle injury is recommended to maximize pain control, joint mobility, and patient satisfaction while decreasing other symptoms of discomfort.