Long-term effects of whole body cryostimulation on uric acid concentration in plasma of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients.
BACKGROUND
Uric acid (UA) has been suggested to be a marker of multiple sclerosis (MS) activity. Whole body cryostimulation (WBCT) is a new form of additional treatment and becoming popular in medicine.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to determine the long-term effects of WBCT on the level of plasma UA in selected group of MS patients only with secondary progressive (SPMS) clinical form and verify results with functional state of patients assessed by expanded disability status scale (EDSS).


METHODS
SPMS patients (n = 22) and healthy controls (n = 22) participated in 10 3-min-long exposures of WBCT (one exposure per day). Results were collected before the WBCT treatment and after completion the WBCT series as well as one and three months later.


RESULTS
WBCT increased UA concentration in plasma of SPMS patients not only directly after 10 exposures (p < 0.0001) but also one (p < 0.0001) and three (p < 0.005) months later. Furthermore, WBCT causes positive changes in EDSS scale both directly after WBCT (7% lower) and maintain this level 1 month later as well as 3 month later (5% lower).


CONCLUSIONS
WBCT may be used as adjuvant therapy via increase UA blood level; it improves functional status of SPMS patients.
Department of Physical Medicine, Medical University of Lodz.
Elżbieta
E
Miller
Joanna
J
Saluk
Agnieszka
A
Morel
Barbara
B
Wachowicz
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014527:Uric Acid