Impact of systemic cryotherapy on the rheological properties of the blood in women with rheumatoid arthritis

Study aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of systemic cryotherapy on the rheological properties of the blood in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Study group: The study group consisted of 10 women with rheumatoid arthritis, aged 57.2 ± 9.4, who underwent systemic cryotherapy treatments (3 min treatment time, -120 °C chamber temperature, 10 treatment sessions - 5 times a week). Their average body height was 165.5 ± 4.6 cm, weight 68.5 ± 4.9 kg and BMI 24.8 ± 2.2 kg/m2. In order to analyze morphological and rheological parameters of the blood, venous blood samples were drawn from the participants of the study twice. The first study was held on the day of beginning treatments and the second test was conducted after a series of 10 treatments. Methodology: The morphological blood test - measurements were taken using the ABX MICROS 60 (USA) hematology analyser. Erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were tested using the LORCA analyser (Laser-assisted Optical Rotational Cell Analyser RR Mechatronics, The Netherlands). The results were obtained as the index of elongation and aggregation according to the Hardeman method (2001). Results: Analysing the average values of morphological and rheological parameters of the blood in women with rheumatoid arthritis in the study group, the mean values of RBC, Hct and AI following the series of 10 treatments were significantly higher after cryotherapy in comparison to the measurements taken before treatments. Analysing the mean concentrations of T½, there was statistically significant reduction after the series of 10 treatments. Conclusions: Regular usage of cryotherapy treatments may affect the levels of morphological and rheological parameters of the blood in women with rheumatoid arthritis - RBC, Hct and AI (increase) and T½ (reduction) in the blood. null