Review of physiological effects of cryotherapy.

The purpose of this work is to provide the physical therapist with the research documented conclusions that he would find if he were to review the literature on the physiological effects of cold therapy. The conclusions are that the results of the studies reviewed were consistent in describing reductions in musculoskeletal pain, spasm, connective tissue distensibility, intramuscular temperature, nerve conduction velocity, and spasticity (except the initial seconds of application). Other conclusions are that the results of the studies reviewed were inconsistent in describing the changes in swelling, blood flow, heart rate, blood pressure, intraarticular temperature, rheumatoid arthritis, monosynaptic reflex, and the muscle spindle.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1983;5(2):66-73.