Open AccessThe influence of cryotherapy and kinesitherapy on lower back pain reduction and im-provement of quality of life in elderly women
Author(s) -
Aleksandra Kulis,
Anna Misiorek,
Anna Marchewka
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
rehabilitacja medyczna
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.108
H-Index - 7
eISSN - 1896-3250
pISSN - 1427-9622
DOI - 10.5604/01.3001.0013.0208
Subject(s) - kinesitherapy , cryotherapy , medicine , physical therapy , quality of life (healthcare) , rehabilitation , surgery , nursing
Introduction: Cryotherapy and kinesitherapy are commonly used methods in treating lower back painAim: The main aim of the study is to compare the effects of whole-body cryotherapy, cryo-therapy combined with kinesitherapy, and kinesitherapy alone on pain and quality of life in older women with spinal arthritis.Material and methods: The study group comprised 69 women between the age of 65 and 70 who were diagnosed with lumbar spine arthritis and were undergoing physical therapy due to back pain. The women were divided into 3 subgroups which participated in different rehabili-tation protocols (cryotherapy, cryotherapy with kinesitherapy and kinesitherapy alone). Physi-cal therapy lasted for 2 weeks, from Monday to Friday. Quality of life was investigated with the SF-36v2 questionnaire, completed on the first and last day of physical therapy.Results: The study with the SF-36v2 questionnaire observed statistically significant improve-ment in quality of life among all groups.Conclusions: Physical activity effectively reduces pain and improves quality of life among women with osteoarthritis, which casts doubt on the viability of using cryotherapy for this purpose.Article received: 20.05.2018; Accepted: 23.01.2019