Poster Session #1: UC Ballroom
Comparing the Effects of Ice Pack, Ice Bath and Cold Whirlpool on Ankle Skin Surface Temperature
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Valerie Moody
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Health and Human Performance
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Comparing the Effects of Ice Pack, Ice Bath and Cold Whirlpool on Ankle Skin Surface Temperature
Ifft, NC, Spaulding, JM, & Moody, VJ, Department of Health and Human Performance, The University of Montana, Missoula MT
Context: Cryotherapy is a form of electromagnetic energy that utilizes the therapeutic effects of cold. Mounting evidence suggests that cryotherapy is the most effective treatment for acute and sub-acute care of musculoskeletal injuries. Cryotherapy decreases secondary metabolic injury by slowing down metabolism and reducing oxygen demands in the affected area. However, existing literature is inconclusive as to whether an ice pack, ice bath, or cold whirlpool provides the longest cooling effect. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine which method of tissue cooling is most effective for sub-acute injury, and which modality provides the longest lasting effects. Participants: Six college aged University of Montana Athletic Training students (age 18-30) participated in this study. Methods: A repeated measures design was used for this study whereby all participants underwent one cold whirlpool treatments, one ice pack treatment and one ice water immersion treatment. Each treatment lasted 15 minutes. The temperature of the dominant ankle was measured at the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) prior to treatment, immediately post-treatment, five minutes post-treatment, and ten minutes post-treatment using an infrared thermometer. Results: A 3X4 repeated measures ANOVA revealed statistical significance between the cooling modalities and ankle surface temperature (p= 0.5). Pairwise comparisons revealed statistical significance among the different cooling modalities immediately after, 5 minutes and 10 minutes post treatment. Ice bath cooled the ankle the most and for the longest. Conclusion: Modalities that underwent a phase change (ice pack and ice bath) cooled skin surface tissue better than those that did not undergo a phase change (cold whirlpool). It was discovered that ice bath provided greater cooling when compared to an ice pack. This study also showed that the application of ice bath and cold whirlpool provided longer lasting cooling than ice pack. Further research is warranted to understand this relationship.
Category
Life Sciences
Comparing the Effects of Ice Pack, Ice Bath and Cold Whirlpool on Ankle Skin Surface Temperature
Comparing the Effects of Ice Pack, Ice Bath and Cold Whirlpool on Ankle Skin Surface Temperature
Ifft, NC, Spaulding, JM, & Moody, VJ, Department of Health and Human Performance, The University of Montana, Missoula MT
Context: Cryotherapy is a form of electromagnetic energy that utilizes the therapeutic effects of cold. Mounting evidence suggests that cryotherapy is the most effective treatment for acute and sub-acute care of musculoskeletal injuries. Cryotherapy decreases secondary metabolic injury by slowing down metabolism and reducing oxygen demands in the affected area. However, existing literature is inconclusive as to whether an ice pack, ice bath, or cold whirlpool provides the longest cooling effect. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine which method of tissue cooling is most effective for sub-acute injury, and which modality provides the longest lasting effects. Participants: Six college aged University of Montana Athletic Training students (age 18-30) participated in this study. Methods: A repeated measures design was used for this study whereby all participants underwent one cold whirlpool treatments, one ice pack treatment and one ice water immersion treatment. Each treatment lasted 15 minutes. The temperature of the dominant ankle was measured at the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) prior to treatment, immediately post-treatment, five minutes post-treatment, and ten minutes post-treatment using an infrared thermometer. Results: A 3X4 repeated measures ANOVA revealed statistical significance between the cooling modalities and ankle surface temperature (p= 0.5). Pairwise comparisons revealed statistical significance among the different cooling modalities immediately after, 5 minutes and 10 minutes post treatment. Ice bath cooled the ankle the most and for the longest. Conclusion: Modalities that underwent a phase change (ice pack and ice bath) cooled skin surface tissue better than those that did not undergo a phase change (cold whirlpool). It was discovered that ice bath provided greater cooling when compared to an ice pack. This study also showed that the application of ice bath and cold whirlpool provided longer lasting cooling than ice pack. Further research is warranted to understand this relationship.