Daily full-body cryostimulation—exposure to extreme cold—has been found to improve sleep quality and mood in healthy young men and women, according to a recent study conducted by scientists at Université de Montreal and Université de Poitiers in France.
Lead researcher Dupuy, an associate professor at UdeM’s School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences, explained that the use of cold for therapeutic purposes dates back to ancient Greece. However, the exact amount of cold required to produce sleep benefits has remained unknown until now.
In the study published in the December issue of Cryobiology, Dupuy and his colleagues recruited nine women and 11 men with an average age of 23 to undergo daily cryostimulation sessions for five consecutive days. The participants experienced five-minute sessions in a chamber cooled to -90°C, wearing protective gear to shield their extremities from the intense cold.
After each cryostimulation session, the participants went about their normal daily activities until bedtime, abstaining from alcohol and any activities that could affect their sleep. At bedtime, they were equipped with sensors to monitor brain activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns. Each morning, they provided feedback on their perceived sleep quality.
The results showed that the benefits of cryostimulation on sleep quality only became evident after five consecutive sessions. The participants experienced an increase in the duration of slow-wave sleep, the most restorative phase of sleep, by an average of 7.3 minutes during the first two sleep cycles.
Interestingly, the study also revealed gender differences, with women showing greater improvements in perceived sleep quality and reduced anxiety levels compared to men. This suggests that the dosage of cold may need to be adjusted based on gender, although further research is needed to confirm this.
Dupuy emphasized that while the observed changes may seem subtle, they hold promise for various applications. Cryostimulation could benefit elite athletes in terms of recovery and individuals with chronic inflammation or mild dementia when combined with physical exercise. The study is part of a larger research program on cryostimulation, with ongoing investigations into its potential long-term effects and clinical applications.
In conclusion, Dupuy highlighted that the positive effects of cryostimulation are not merely a placebo effect, as demonstrated in studies with elite athletes. With the promising data from this study, cryostimulation could potentially be adopted in clinical settings, including medicine, kinesiology, and physiotherapy. The future of cryostimulation as a therapeutic intervention looks bright, with potential benefits for a wide range of individuals seeking improved sleep and overall wellness.
