Whole body and partial body cryotherapies - lessons from human practice and possible application for horses.
Authors: Roszkowska K, Witkowska-Pilaszewicz O, Przewozny M, Cywinska A
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Whole body and partial body cryotherapy have become established treatments in human sports medicine and rheumatology, prompting investigation into their potential application in equine practice; this review examines the physiological mechanisms and clinical outcomes reported in human literature to assess feasibility for horses. The authors synthesise evidence on how cryotherapy protocols trigger anti-inflammatory responses through measurable changes in haematological and immunological markers, including white blood cell counts, cytokine profiles, and immunological signalling molecules—though the direction and magnitude of these changes vary considerably depending on exposure duration, temperature, and individual factors. A key finding relevant to equine professionals is that partial body cryotherapy delivered via cryosauna presents a practical advantage over whole body immersion, requiring significantly shorter exposure times and lower temperatures whilst still eliciting therapeutic responses. Since horses already tolerate localised cold therapy well, the cryosauna approach appears particularly promising for managing inflammatory conditions and supporting athletic recovery, though the review emphasises that protocols must be carefully adapted to account for species-specific physiological responses. Further equine-specific research is needed to establish optimal treatment parameters and confirm clinical efficacy, but the anti-inflammatory mechanisms documented in humans provide a rational foundation for investigating this modality in veterinary practice.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Cryosauna represents a practical cold therapy option for horses with inflammatory conditions, requiring shorter treatment times and lower temperatures than traditional whole body cryotherapy
- •Evidence from human athletes suggests cryotherapy may support training recovery, but response patterns vary with protocol—standardized equine protocols are needed before routine clinical adoption
- •Since horses already benefit from conventional local cold therapy, cryosauna could be considered as an enhanced alternative, though clinical efficacy and cost-benefit in equine populations require further investigation
Key Findings
- •Whole body and partial body cryotherapy (WBC/PBC) show anti-inflammatory effects demonstrated by changes in hematological and immunological parameters
- •White blood cell counts either increased or remained unchanged depending on protocol, while cytokine concentrations generally shifted toward anti-inflammatory profiles
- •Partial body cryotherapy via cryosauna is technically feasible in horses and offers shorter procedure times with lower temperatures than whole body approaches
- •Local cold therapies are already successfully used in equine practice, suggesting cryosauna therapy is a promising alternative modality