Effects of Whole-Body Cryostimulation on Stress Biomarkers and Psychological Well-Being in Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study

TL;DR

A pilot study found that whole-body cryostimulation may reduce stress and improve psychological well-being in Parkinson’s disease patients.

Contribution

This is the first study to investigate the effects of whole-body cryostimulation on stress biomarkers and psychological symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.

Findings

WBC significantly reduced cortisol levels and improved serotonin levels in Parkinson’s patients.

Patients showed reduced anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleepiness after WBC sessions.

WBC was safe and well-tolerated with no reported adverse effects.

Abstract

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized not only by motor impairments but also by debilitating non-motor symptoms (NMS) such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms are often resistant to dopaminergic therapies and significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention with potential effects on stress modulation and psychological well-being. Materials and Methods: In total, 14 patients with idiopathic PD underwent 10 WBC sessions (−110 °C for 2 min) over two weeks. Blood samples for cortisol and serotonin were collected before and after the first and last sessions. Patients completed standardized questionnaires evaluating anxiety (STAI-Y1, Y2), depression (BDI), fatigue (FSS), sleep quality (SCI), and daytime sleepiness (ESS) at baseline and after the final session. Results: Significant reductions in serum cortisol and improvements in serotonin levels were observed. Psychological assessments showed decreased anxiety and depression scores, with improvements in fatigue and sleepiness (p < 0.05 for most scales). Discussion and Conclusions: Repeated WBC sessions were safe and well-tolerated and were associated with biochemical and psychological improvements. These preliminary findings support WBC as a promising complementary intervention for alleviating NMS in PD. Further randomized controlled studies are warranted to confirm these results.

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