Cryotherapy and Laser Therapy on Muscle Damage

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study propose investigate the effect of cryotherapy and laser therapy in response to strenuous exercise-induced muscle damage on the biceps brachii muscle (muscle of the arms). All the individuals underwent to an strenuous exercise protocol (2 series of 10 contractions of non-dominant elbow flexors) and three assessments (pre, post and 48hr after the exercise), composed of pain sensation, measure of the strength and muscle activation.

Official Title
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Cryotherapy and Laser Therapy do Not Interfere in the Response to Eccentric Exercise-induced Muscle Damage: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Conditions
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Myalgia [C05.651.542]

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Cryotherapy
* Device: Laser therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Female sex Aged between 18 and 28 years Healthy, considered active according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire -Short Form (IPAQ) Engaging in physical activity involving upper limbs at least 2 times a week Exhibiting shoulder joint, elbow and non-dominant hand integrity Not having a history of osteo-myoarticular injuries in the assessed limb in the last 6 months, or neurological, visual and/or non-corrected auditory impairments. Furthermore they could not be allergic to ice (verified by the ice cube test) or any absolute contraindication for the use of laser (cancer and pregnancy). Exclusion Criteria: Not understanding the commands given in the protocols and/or inadequate performance during assessments.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 28 Years


Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Cryotherapy<br>To the cryotherapy group a 1kg ice pack was strapped over the entire brachial biceps muscle and adjacent muscles of the arm under study using a bandage, and the application lasted 25 minute laser | Other: Cryotherapy<br> <br> |
| Experimental: Laser therapy<br>The laser therapy group received laser application to the muscle belly of the non-dominant upper limb brachial biceps at four different points. | Device: Laser therapy<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Control<br>The control group did not undergo any intervention and remained at rest for 25 minutes. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain sensation | Through the VAS (visual analogue scale). | Within the first 3 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Strength | The strength will be measure through isokinetic dynamometry and the variables analyzed will be peak torque normalized for body weight and power. | Within the first 3 days | 
| Muscle activation | Measured by surface electromyography. | Within the first 3 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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cryotherapy, laser therapy, eccentric exercise, delayed onset muscle soreness, muscle damage, dynamometry, electromyography