Cold Water Immersion for Immune Function

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Northern Colorado

Must not be taking: Anti-inflammatories

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Cancer, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 4 weeks

75 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes people who use anti-inflammatory medication regularly. If you take these medications often, you might not be eligible to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Cold Water Immersion (CWI) for immune function?

Cold Water Immersion (CWI) is commonly used by athletes to help with recovery after exercise, potentially reducing fatigue and improving performance. While the exact benefits for immune function are not clear, CWI is known to aid in muscle and core cooling, which might indirectly support overall recovery and health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is cold water immersion generally safe for humans?

Cold water immersion (CWI) is commonly used for exercise recovery and has been studied in healthy adults. Research indicates that it is generally safe, with no harmful effects reported in studies involving different temperatures and durations of immersion. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

How does the treatment Cold Water Immersion (CWI) differ from other treatments for immune function?

Cold Water Immersion (CWI) is unique because it involves exposing the body to cold water, which can help with recovery after exercise by reducing inflammation and muscle soreness. Unlike other treatments that might involve medication or supplements, CWI uses temperature and water exposure to potentially enhance immune function and recovery. ^{2 3 7 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this clinical trial is to explore the effects of a 4 week cold-water immersion (CWI) intervention on measures of immune function, sleep quality, mental health and well-being, and muscular strength. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does a 4 week CWI intervention improve measures of immune function, sleep quality, mental health and well-being, and muscular strength? * Are there any differences in these measures when comparing cold tubs versus cold showers? Researchers will compare chronic use of cold tubs to cold showers to see if cold water immersion may improve overall immune health and well-being. Participants will: * Undergo 4 weeks of Cold Tub or Cold Shower interventions at a frequency of 3 times a week for 4 minutes, if placed in the CWI intervention groups * Undergo testing measures at the two pre- and post- intervention time points, if placed in the healthy control group or the CWI intervention groups

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals who want to explore how cold water immersion (CWI) might affect their immune system, muscle strength, sleep quality, and mental health. Participants will either take cold showers or baths three times a week for four weeks. People with certain health conditions that could be worsened by cold exposure are not eligible.

Exclusion Criteria

Currently practices CWI for more than 3 times in the last month

Pregnant or planning to become pregnant

I regularly take anti-inflammatory medication.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo 4 weeks of Cold Tub or Cold Shower interventions at a frequency of 3 times a week for 4 minutes

4 weeks

12 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Cold Water Immersion (CWI) - Cold Shower (CS)
• Cold Water Immersion (CWI) - Cold Tub Immersion (CI)

Trial Overview The study tests if regular cold showers or tub immersions over four weeks can boost the immune system and improve well-being, sleep quality, muscular strength compared to those who do not undergo CWI. It also examines differences between the effects of cold showers versus tubs.

Participant Groups

Group I: Control Group (CO) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will not undergo any cold tub or cold shower intervention.

Group II: Cold Tub Immersion Group (CI) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will utilize the research cold tub (10 ºC, 4-minutes, 3 times a week), following a standardized protocol (see intervention description).

Group III: Cold Shower Group (CS) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will utilize the research shower area (10 ºC, 4-minutes, 3 times a week), following a standardized protocol (see intervention description).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Northern Colorado

Lead Sponsor

Trials

8

Recruited

550+

Findings from Research

Cold water immersion (CWI) at temperatures of 10-15°C for 5-15 minutes is shown to effectively enhance recovery of performance in athletes, making it a popular choice for minimizing fatigue after exercise.

Contrast water therapy (CWT), which alternates between cold and hot water, may also aid recovery, but its effectiveness depends on equal time spent in both temperatures and short immersion durations, with no clear dose-response relationship established.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Water immersion recovery for athletes: effect on exercise performance and practical recommendations. Versey, NG., Halson, SL., Dawson, BT.[2022]

References

1. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Water immersion recovery for athletes: effect on exercise performance and practical recommendations. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictive Ability of Body Fat Percentage and Thigh Anthropometrics on Tissue Cooling During Cold-Water Immersion. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What is the biochemical and physiological rationale for using cold-water immersion in sports recovery? A systematic review. [2022]

4. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of Cold-Water Immersion Compared with Passive Recovery Following a Single Bout of Strenuous Exercise on Athletic Performance in Physically Active Participants: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis and Meta-regression. [2022]

5. Singapore pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of different cryotherapy recovery methods in elite junior cyclists. [2022]

6. Denmark pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dosages of cold-water immersion post exercise on functional and clinical responses: a randomized controlled trial. [2018]

7. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Post-exercise recovery of biological, clinical and metabolic variables after different temperatures and durations of cold water immersion: a randomized clinical trial. [2018]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optimizing Cold Water Immersion for Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia: A Meta-analysis. [2015]

9. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of various cold-water immersion protocols on exercise-induced inflammatory response and functional recovery from high-intensity sprint exercise. [2021]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cold water immersion in the management of delayed-onset muscle soreness: is dose important? A randomised controlled trial. [2014]