Preprint Case Report Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Whole-Body Cryostimulation, a Complementary Treatment for Phantom Limb Syndrome: Preliminary Evidence from a Case Study

Paolo Piterà
* ORCID logo ,
Isabella Springhetti
,
Angelo Alito
ORCID logo ,
Federica Verme
ORCID logo ,
Jacopo Maria Fontana
ORCID logo ,
Paolo Capodaglio
ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 1 November 2023 / Approved: 2 November 2023 / Online: 3 November 2023 (04:12:43 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Piterà, P.; Springhetti, I.; Alito, A.; Verme, F.; Fontana, J.M.; Capodaglio, P. Whole-Body Cryostimulation, a Complementary Treatment for Phantom Limb Syndrome: Preliminary Evidence from a Case Study. Medicina 2024, 60, 22. Piterà, P.; Springhetti, I.; Alito, A.; Verme, F.; Fontana, J.M.; Capodaglio, P. Whole-Body Cryostimulation, a Complementary Treatment for Phantom Limb Syndrome: Preliminary Evidence from a Case Study. Medicina 2024, 60, 22.

Abstract

Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) is a challenging condition affecting a significant proportion of amputees. In this article we describe the case of a 54-year-old Paralympic athlete with Phantom Limb Syndrome following right leg amputation and widespread sports-related enthesitic pain, who underwent a Whole Body Cryostimulation (WBC) cycle, an emerging treatment known for its rapid pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Assessments were conducted before and after a 10-session WBC cycle, including pain and quality of life assessment, and use of medications. A substantial reduction in enthesitic pain, PLP intensity, paresthesia, tingling related to atmospheric events and an improved function and quality of life were reported after the WBC cycle and lasted for two weeks. One month after WBC, the enthesitic pain following sports activity and PLP gradually returned but with lesser intensity. Similarly, the stump's sensitivity to atmospheric changes returned but with lower frequency. Pain at night remained lower than before WBC with significantly improved quality of sleep. This case study suggests that WBC could be a valuable adjuvant treatment for alleviating PLP. Controlled studies are warranted to validate the findings of this case-report and elucidate the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of WBC in this condition.

Keywords

whole-body cryostimulation; phantom limb pain; phantom limb syndrome; neuropathic pain; central sensitization

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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