Cryotherapy, the practice of exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures for short periods, has gained popularity for its potential health benefits. A recent study suggests that just five minutes a day in a sub-zero chamber could noticeably improve sleep quality. Researchers from the University of Montreal and the University of Poitiers explored the impact of daily full-body “cryostimulation” on sleep duration and quality in healthy volunteers. Their findings hint at a possible new treatment for sleep disorders.
The study involved 20 healthy adults in their twenties – nine women and 11 men. For five consecutive days, participants underwent a unique bedtime routine. At 6 p.m., they entered a specialized chamber chilled to a frigid -130 degrees Fahrenheit (-90 degrees Celsius) for five minutes. To put this in perspective, the coldest natural temperature ever recorded is -128.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Throughout the study, participants maintained their regular daily routines, abstaining from alcohol, caffeine, and other substances that could influence sleep. Wearable devices monitored their heart rate, brain activity, and sleep patterns. Participants also completed sleep quality questionnaires. As a control, the volunteers repeated the tracking process without the cryostimulation.
Improvements in sleep weren’t immediately apparent, emerging only after the fifth day of cryostimulation. The most significant change was observed in slow-wave, or deep sleep, the most restorative sleep phase. On average, deep sleep increased by 7.3 minutes following cryostimulation, compared to the typical two hours of deep sleep per night. Participants also reported subjectively better sleep quality after cryostimulation, though this improvement was statistically significant only for the women in the study.
The study, published in the December issue of Cryobiology, presents intriguing preliminary findings. However, it’s important to note the limitations. The observed sleep improvements were modest, and the study’s small sample size necessitates larger trials to confirm the benefits. The researchers used a MECOTEC cryo air chamber for the study. Despite these limitations, the researchers suggest that the benefits of cryostimulation could be more pronounced for individuals experiencing significant sleep difficulties.
Olivier Dupuy, an associate professor at the University of Montreal’s School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences, and a researcher on the study, stated, “While this study focused on people who generally sleep well, we believe that cryostimulation could be especially beneficial for people with sleep problems.”
This study is part of a broader investigation into the health benefits of cryostimulation. Previous research has suggested its potential for pain and inflammation relief. Dupuy’s team has also studied cryostimulation’s effects on elite athletes during the recent Paris Summer Olympics. Further research is planned, including two additional papers on cryotherapy and sleep. While further validation is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind cryotherapy’s potential healing properties, researchers are optimistic about its future applications.
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Cryotherapy has been explored for its potential benefits in athletic recovery.
“With these encouraging new data, cryostimulation could well be adopted in clinical settings in the fields of medicine, kinesiology, and physiotherapy,” Dupuy concluded. Further research will shed more light on the potential of this chilling therapy to improve sleep and overall well-being.
