ShareCryostimulation may improve sleep quality and mood
A recent study reveals that repeated cryostimulation exposures promote better sleep quality, increased deep sleep, and reduced anxiety, with more pronounced effects in women.
Cryostimulation is a medical technique that involves exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures for a short period of time. It can be applied to the whole body (whole-body cryostimulation) or to specific areas (localised cryostimulation). The temperatures used typically range from –110°C to –160°C (113.15 K to 163.15 K.)
According to a study published in the Cryobiology journal in December 2024 [1], cryostimulation may offer notable benefits for sleep quality and anxiety management, particularly in women. This research highlights the effects of five consecutive daily whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) exposures on healthy young adults. The results suggest that this practice improves perceived sleep quality, enhances deep sleep duration, and reduces anxiety levels after just a few days of exposure.
The experiment, conducted over five consecutive nights, compared the effects of cryostimulation with a control protocol. Participants were assessed on their sleep using questionnaires and objective measurements. The data collected revealed that sleep quality was significantly better on nights following cryostimulation sessions, with a notable improvement in deep sleep duration, particularly during the first two sleep cycles.
When analysing the results by gender, women showed more pronounced benefits, with a marked improvement in sleep quality and a greater reduction in anxiety symptoms following cryostimulation exposures. This effect seems to be related to changes in sleep architecture, particularly an increase in the duration of slow-wave sleep, a phase that is especially beneficial for physical recovery and memory consolidation.
Although cryostimulation did not affect certain sleep parameters, such as sleep efficiency or nighttime awakenings, the researchers observed a positive modulation of mood states, particularly a reduction in stress and anxiety. This was due to increased parasympathetic activity, responsible for relaxation and regeneration.
The authors of the study emphasise that these effects could have important practical implications for various populations, including athletes, the elderly, or those suffering from sleep disorders. They recommend future studies to further explore the underlying mechanisms of these benefits, as well as their potential impact on other population groups.
Did you know?
Some of the authors of this study are members of the IIR Commission C1, dedicated to cryobiology, cryomedicine, and health products. For more information on IIR’s commissions, feel free to contact us.
In 2020 this commission published the 39th Informatory Note on Refrigeration Technologies, entitled “Whole-body cryotherapy / cryostimulation”. It is freely available via the following link.
Source:
[1] Arc-Chagnaud, C., Dupuy, O., Garcia, M., Bosquet, L., Bouzigon, R., & Pla, R. (2024). Effects of repeated cryostimulation exposures on sleep and wellness in healthy young adults. Cryobiology, 117, 104948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2024.104948. In open access. Also available in FRIDOC.