Whole-body cryotherapy as adjunct treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders.
BACKGROUND
Rheumatism has been treated using whole-body cryotherapy (WBCT) since the 1970s. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of WBCT as an experimental, adjunctive method of treating depressive and anxiety disorders.


METHODS
A control (n=34) and a study group (n=26), both consisting of outpatients 18-65 years old with depressive and anxiety disorders (ICD-10), received standard psychopharmacotherapy. The study group was additionally treated with a series of 15 daily visits to a cryogenic chamber (2-3 min, from -160 degrees C to -110 degrees C). The Hamilton's depression rating scale (HDRS) and Hamilton's anxiety rating scale (HARS) were used as the outcome measures.


RESULTS
After three weeks, a decrease of at least 50% from the baseline HDRS-17 scores in 34.6% of the study group and 2.9% of the control group and a decrease of at least 50% from the baseline HARS score in 46.2% of the study group and in none of the control group were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings, despite such limitations as a small sample size, suggest a possible role for WBCT as a short-term adjuvant treatment for mood and anxiety disorders.
Rymaszewska
Joanna
J
Department of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland. ankarym@psych.am.wroc.pl
Ramsey
David
D
Chładzińska-Kiejna
Sylwia
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation