Whole-body Cryotherapy in Those With Chronic Fatigue: A Feasibility Study
This small study is looking at a treatment called Whole-Body Cryotherapy (WBCT) for people experiencing chronic fatigue from conditions like ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, and Long COVID. These conditions cause severe, ongoing tiredness that doesn't get better with rest, as well as brain fog and pain. WBCT involves short bursts in very cold temperatures, which researchers think might help 'reset' the body's systems, reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and balance the nervous system. This initial study will help determine if it's practical to conduct a larger trial and understand how well people tolerate the treatment, hoping to find new ways to help those with these challenging illnesses.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Many people live with long-lasting tiredness and other difficult symptoms from conditions like ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, and Long COVID. These conditions can make everyday life very challenging, and doctors are still looking for effective treatments. While they have different names, these illnesses often share similar problems, such as constant tiredness that doesn't go away, feeling worse after even small amounts of activity (this is called 'post-exertional malaise'), difficulty thinking clearly (sometimes called 'brain fog'), poor sleep, and widespread pain.
Scientists believe these conditions might be linked to similar issues inside the body, like ongoing inflammation, problems with how blood flows, and imbalances in the nervous system (which controls automatic body functions). Whole-Body Cryotherapy (WBCT) is a treatment where you briefly stand in a very cold room, at temperatures between -110°C and -160°C. Researchers think this extreme cold might act like a 'shock' to the body, encouraging it to reset and work better. It's thought to help reduce inflammation, improve blood flow by making blood vessels narrow and then widen again, and calm the 'fight or flight' part of the nervous system, boosting the 'rest and recover' part instead.
Previous small studies have shown promising results, with people reporting less tiredness, clearer thinking, and better control of their automatic body functions after WBCT. This new study is a 'feasibility study', which means it's designed to see if it's practical and safe to do a larger study in the future. It will help us understand if people with these conditions can easily take part, complete the treatment, and if their symptoms can be measured effectively, taking a step towards potentially finding new ways to help people feel better.
Key takeaways
- This is a small, early-stage study (a 'feasibility study') looking at Whole-Body Cryotherapy (WBCT) for ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, and Long COVID.
- WBCT involves brief exposure to very cold temperatures, aiming to improve tiredness, pain, and 'brain fog'.
- The study wants to see if WBCT is safe, practical, and well-tolerated by people with these conditions.
- Participants will have 10 WBCT sessions over two weeks, alongside health assessments.
- It could help pave the way for bigger studies to find new treatments for chronic fatigue.
- You can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your healthcare.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for 40 adults, aged 18 to 65. There will be four groups of 10 people each: 10 healthy volunteers (who don't have these conditions), 10 people with a diagnosis of ME/CFS, 10 people with Fibromyalgia, and 10 people with Long COVID.
To make sure WBCT is safe for you, the study team will ask you to complete a medical questionnaire. You won't be able to join if you have certain health problems that could be made worse by extreme cold, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, serious heart or blood circulation issues (like Raynaud's disease), severe breathing problems, or if you feel very anxious in small spaces (claustrophobia).
This is a small study because it's a first step to see how well the treatment is tolerated and whether a bigger study would be possible. Your participation would help us understand how people in the UK respond to WBCT for these conditions.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
- Do you have a diagnosis of ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, or Long COVID, or are you a generally healthy adult?
- Do you feel comfortable in small, enclosed spaces?
- Do you have any serious heart, circulation, or breathing conditions that might make extreme cold unsafe?
- Are you able to commit to 10 visits over a two-week period?
What does participation involve?
If you join this study, you will have ten cryotherapy sessions over a two-week period. This means you will need to visit the study centre quite frequently within those two weeks. Before you start and after you finish the sessions, the research team will do some assessments to understand your health and symptoms. This might include questionnaires, physical checks, and possibly some blood tests to see how your body is responding. The total duration of your active participation will be around two weeks for the treatment period, plus time for initial screening and final assessments.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Oxford Brookes University - Centre for Movement, Occupation and Rehabilitation Sciences (MOReS)Verified postcodeOxford, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is Whole-Body Cryotherapy?
It's a treatment where you spend a very short time (usually a few minutes) in a special chamber or room that is cooled to extremely cold temperatures, often between -110°C and -160°C.
Is this a new treatment?
WBCT has been around for some time, but its use for conditions like ME/CFS and Long COVID is still being researched, especially in the UK.
Will I get better if I join this study?
This is a study to see if the treatment is practical and safe, and to look for signs it might help. We can't promise you will get better, as more research is needed to prove its effectiveness.
What's the difference between this and a larger trial?
This 'feasibility' study is a small, early step to learn about recruitment, safety, and whether we can measure effects well. If it goes well, a larger trial would then be designed to prove if the treatment truly works.
How many times will I need to attend?
You will need to attend for ten cryotherapy sessions over a two-week period, plus separate visits for initial checks and final assessments.
How to find out more
Patrick Esser
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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