Assessment of the impact of whole-body cryotherapy on the functional status of women with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of WBCT therapy combined with kinesiotherapy on pain, range of motion, and muscle strength acting on the knee joint, as well as the functional status of women with OA and RA. Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 82 women with an average age of 61,98±7,52. The first group included women with osteoarthritis (n=41), and the second group included women with rheumatoid arthritis (n=14). All participants underwent a series of 10 whole-body cryotherapy sessions. In order to assess the effects of the therapy, the VAS scale, the Modified Laitinen Pain Questionnaire, the Timed Up and Go Test, the Short Physical Performance Battery, the measurement of the range of motion and muscle strength of the knee joint were used. Results: The application of whole-body cryotherapy resulted in pain reduction and improvement in all conducted assessm ents in both groups of patients. The patients with osteoarthritis had a greater reduction of pain on the Laitinen scale with a lower BMI (rho=-0,34, p=0,03).The pain reduction improved Short Physical Performance Battery scores (rho=-0,46, p=0,002). In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the results of the Short Physical Performance Battery were correlated with a reduction in the Timed Up and Go Test time (rho=0,66, p<0,001), an increase of the range of motion in the knee joint (rho=-0,33, p=0,04) and improvement in extensor muscle strength (rho=-0,48, p=0,002) and flexor muscles (rho=-0,37, p=0,02). Conclusions: Systemic cryotherapy has a significant impact on reducing pain and improving the functional status of patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It increases the range of motion and muscle strenght of the knee joint, which translates into improved functional condition.