# Whole-Body Cryotherapy at −90 °C for 9 Weeks: Effects on Immune Function, Stress, and Immune-Related and Vascular Blood Parameters in Healthy Adults—Results of an Exploratory One-Armed Pilot Study

## TL;DR

This pilot study found that repeated whole-body cryotherapy at -90°C over 9 weeks improved immune function, body composition, and stress levels in healthy adults.

## Contribution

The study is the first to explore the effects of 18 WBC sessions at -90°C on immune markers, body composition, and stress in a controlled pilot setting.

## Key findings

- Waist circumference and body water compartments significantly decreased after WBC sessions.
- Immune modulation included increased lymphocytes and decreased granulocytes, with elevated anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels.
- Perceived stress levels improved in specific domains like Work Overload and Pressure to Succeed.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC), a brief exposure to extreme cold (−90 °C), has been proposed to modulate immune, metabolic, and stress-related pathways. This exploratory one-armed pilot study investigated the effects of an 18-session WBC protocol on immune markers, body composition, and perceived stress in healthy adults. Methods: Nineteen participants (mean age 52.9 ± 9.8 years) completed 18 WBC sessions over 9 weeks (3–6 min each), followed by a 9-week follow-up. Assessments were performed at baseline (M1), post-intervention (M2), and follow-up (M3). Primary outcomes included immune parameters (lymphocytes, granulocytes, cytokines, soluble ACE2), body composition (waist circumference, water compartments, lean mass), and perceived stress (Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress, TICS). Results: Waist circumference decreased from 83.8 ± 5.7 cm (M1) to 80.2 ± 4.2 cm (M2) (p = 0.001; M1 vs. M2; p = 0.004). Total body water (p = 0.008), lean body mass (p = 0.008), intracellular water (p = 0.005), and extracellular water (p = 0.021) also showed time-dependent effects. Immune modulation included increased lymphocytes (25.6 ± 7.1% to 29.3 ± 8.3%, p = 0.012) and decreased granulocytes (63.5 ± 6.8% to 58.7 ± 7.9%, p = 0.011) at M2. Anti-inflammatory IL-10 (virus-stimulated) rose markedly (33.5 ± 29.3 to 63.5 ± 50.5 pg/mL, p < 0.001), while IFN-γ (virus-stimulated) increased over time (p = 0.031). Soluble ACE2 decreased at follow-up (0.5 ± 0.7 to 0.3 ± 0.4 ng/mL, p = 0.029). Perceived stress improved in several TICS domains, including Work Overload (p = 0.009) and Pressure to Succeed (p = 0.018). Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates that repeated WBC at −90 °C induces measurable changes in immune regulation, body composition, and perceived stress. These findings support the feasibility and potential physiological relevance of WBC and providing effect-size estimates for future randomized controlled trials.