RESUMO

Abstract Introduction: Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) has shown to be beneficial in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). There is cumulative evidence that cytokines play a crucial role in FM. It's unknown whether clinical effects of WBC can be demonstrated at the molecular level and how long the effects last. Methods: We compared effects of serial WBC (6 sessions (- 130 °C in 6 weeks) in FM patients and healthy controls (HC). Primary outcome was the change in pain level (visual analogue scale 0-100 mm) after 6 sessions. Secondary outcomes were a change in disease activity (revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) and pain after 3 sessions and 3 months after discontinued therapy and in cytokine levels (interleukin (IL-)1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-10). The patients' opinions on the satisfaction, effectiveness and significance of WBC were evaluated. Results: Twenty-three FM patients and 30 HC were enrolled. WBC resulted in a significant reduction in pain and disease activity after 3 and 6 sessions. No clinical benefit could be measured 3 months after discontinued treatment. Overall, probands were satisfied with WBC and considered WBC to be important and effective. FM patients had significantly different levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 at each reading point compared to HC. Levels of IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly altered over time in FM patients. Compared to HC FM patients showed a significantly different response of IL1, - 6 and - 10 to WBC. Conclusion: Serial WBC is a fast acting and effective treatment for FM. Proven effects of WBC may be explained by changes in cytokines.(AU)

Assuntos

Humanos , Fibromialgia/terapia , Citocinas , Crioterapia/instrumentação , Inquéritos e Questionários

RESUMO

We construct a dynamical analog to the q=3 Potts model, using linear chaotic maps and a diffusive coupling. We find well-defined order-disorder phase transitions (PTs) in the system, and obtain the phase diagrams for both simultaneous and sequential updating of the model. For simultaneous updating we find continuous PTs whose critical exponents are consistent with those of the equilibrium Potts model. Under sequential updating, the phase diagram shows a tricritical point, and the PTs become first order for large coupling and chaoticity of the local maps. A preliminary estimation finds critical exponents in the region of continuous PTs that are not consistent with those of the equilibrium model.