# Another eastern european study with positive results in reducing TNF alpha using Cryotherapy

**URL:** <https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/another-eastern-european-study-with-positive-results-in-reducing-tnf-alpha-using-cryotherapy/5066>\
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**Created:** [October 25, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/another-eastern-european-study-with-positive-results-in-reducing-tnf-alpha-using-cryotherapy/5066 "2012-10-25T15:07:23Z")\
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**Author:** ![melaniej](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/melaniej/32/420_2.png) [@melaniej](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/melaniej)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/another-eastern-european-study-with-positive-results-in-reducing-tnf-alpha-using-cryotherapy/5066/1 "2012-10-25T15:07:23Z")

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Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 01/02/2007; 61(5):801-4. ISSN: 0030-6657

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**Serial Whole-Body Cryotherapy in the Criostream for Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases. A Pilot Study** Authors: Uwe Lange, Christine Uhlemann, Ulf Müller-Ladner BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Local as well as whole-body cryotherapy is used to relieve pain and inflammation in rheumatic diseases. In comparison with a chamber-based whole-body cryotherapy, the novel criostream whole-body therapy (single-person cabin with cold air cooled by liquid nitrogen) as an innovative technique offers not only a rapid therapeutic effect but also a considerable reduction in costs. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of whole-body cryotherapy in the criostream on pain reduction, disease activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-[TNF-]alpha and interleukin-[IL-]1), and improvement in functional scores. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients with different active inflammatory rheumatic diseases (four patients with rheumatoid arthritis, three patients with ankylosing spondylitis, and three patients with psoriatic arthritis/spondylitis) underwent nine sessions of whole-body cryotherapy in 5 days for a short time period (at first 90 s, with step-up in each application to 2.5 min total time). RESULTS: Pain and disease activity scores decreased significantly, and, subsequently, also the functional scores showed a significant amelioration. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in TNF-alpha (p \< 0.01) and IL-1 (p \< 0.05). Side effects were reported only after the first application in two cases (headache and sensation of cold). CONCLUSION: The criostream offers an elegant and, from the patient’s point of view, attractive therapeutic agent in the multimodal treatment concept for inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Medizinische Klinik (Munich, Germany : 1983). 01/07/2008; 103(6):383-388. ISSN: 0723-5003 DOI: 10.1007/s00063-■■■■■■■■-5