ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Degenerative spine's changes affect about 50% of population over 55 and 100% of people aged over 65. The disease is clinically manifested by joints' pain and limitation of their motor function. It is also one of the most common reasons for absenteeism at work. The aim: To estimate the therapeutic effect of 10 whole-body cryotherapy treatments associated with kinesitherapy on the severity of pain and range of motion of the lumbar spine on the example of patients with degenerative spine disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and Methods: The study was conducted on the group of 48 patients who underwent physiotherapy at the Center for Prevention and Rehabilitation CREATOR. The group of patients under examination consisted of 24 patients who were using a series of 10 whole-body cryotherapy treatments associated with 30-minute kinesitherapy including both general exercises and instrument exercises. What is more the control group also consisted of 24 patients using only a series of 10 treatments consisting of kinesitherapy, which didn't differ from the exercises conducted on the examined group. Each of patients was interviewed before the series of physiotherapeutic treatments. The pain intensity was estimated with the use of the Numeric Scale as well as Laitinen Questionnaire, as well as functional examination of the mobility of the lumbar spine using the Schober Test. RESULTS: Results: According to the Numerical Scale, the average pain score decreased in applied physiotherapy by 1.5 points within the study group and by 0.6 points in control group. According to the Laitinen Questionnaire, after a series of physiotherapy treatments, the average pain score decreased in the study group by 1.0 points, while in control group it equals 0.5 points. According to Schober's Test, an average improvement in the mobility of the bend in the lumbar spine for studied group equals 0.8 cm and extension 0.3 cm. In the control group, an average improvement of the flexion movement equals 0.5 cm while extension 0.4 cm. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: A series of 10 whole-body cryotherapy treatments combined with kinesiotherapy may contribute to reduction of severity of pain and improve the range of motion of the lumbar region in patients with degenerative spine disease. What is more, further clinical trials conducted on a broader group of patients with extended treatment period seems to be essential in this field of study.
