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RMR

Study 1: "IDEAL” Aging is Associated with Lower Resting Metabolic Rate: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2018

Who Conducted It:

Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore

Size of Study:

420 participants

Study Details:

  • Participants: Volunteers aged 40-96 (mean age 68.2 years).
  • Comprehensive physical examination, cognitive assessment, RMR testing, body composition assessment, and physical function testing conducted over a three-day clinic visit.
  • Participants classified as „IDEAL” (absence of physical/cognitive impairments, chronic conditions, and blood profile alterations) or „non-IDEAL” based on health status.

Key Find/Results:

  • Individuals who are fully functional and free of major medical conditions have lower RMR than those with disease and functional impairments.
  • Health status plays a role in energy utilization and regulation independent of age and body composition.
  • Elevated RMR may be a global biomarker of poor health in older persons.

RMR

Study 2: Employing RMR Technology in a 90-Day Weight Control Program

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2011

Who Conducted It:

Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson

Size of Study:

54 participants, aged 18-46 years, with a BMI of 25.2-35.6 kg/m²

Study Details:

  • All participants enrolled in a group weight control program.
  • Treatment participants received personalized nutrition energy goal messages based on measured RMR from a hand-held indirect calorimeter.
  • Usual care participants received nutritional messages using a standard care equation (25 kcal/day × body weight) to set energy intake goals.

Key Find/Results:

  • Treatment participants who received personalized energy goals based on measured RMR lost significantly more weight compared to those who received standard care messages.
  • The use of indirect calorimetry to assess RMR and set energy intake goals proved more effective in achieving short-term weight loss.
  • The personalized nutrition messages based on RMR measurements likely influenced psychobehavioral constructs such as motivation and self-efficacy, leading to better adherence and greater weight loss.

RMR

Study 3: Associations between Intra-Assessment Resting Metabolic Rate Variability and Health-Related Factors

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2022

Who Conducted It:

Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Spain

Size of Study:

107 participants

Study Details:

Study Details:

  • Young, relatively healthy adults.
  • Cross-sectional study examining intra-assessment RMR variability.
  • RMR assessed using indirect calorimetry. Coefficient of variation (CV) for volumes of oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and resting energy expenditure (REE) were computed. Body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (peak VO2 uptake), circulating cardiometabolic risk factors, and heart rate and its variability (HR and HRV) were also assessed.

Key Find/Results:

  • Men showed higher variability in RMR (measured as CVs for VO2, VCO2, and REE) compared to women (all p ≤ 0.001).
  • In men, RMR variability (specifically RER variability) was linked to heart rate variability (HRV) and mean heart rate (HR), indicating a potential connection to cardiometabolic risk factors.
  • Men exhibited greater RMR variability than women. The variability in RMR (particularly RER) could be an indicator of cardiometabolic risk in young men.

VO2 Max

Study 1: VO2 Max as a Predictor of Mortality in Men and Women

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2002

Who Conducted It:

University of Eastern Finland

Size of Study:

1294 men with no CVD, pulmonary disease, or cancer

Study Details:

  • Subjects were participants in the Kuopio Ischaemic HeartDisease Risk Factor Study. This study was designed to investigate risk factors for CVD, atherosclerosis, and related outcomes in a population-based, randomly selected sample of men in eastern Finland.
  • Baseline examinations were conducted between March 20, 1984, and December 5, 198
  • Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with a maximal, symptom-limited exercise tolerance test on an electrically braked bicycle ergometer at the initiation of the study.

Key Find/Results:

  • There was an inverse relationship between VO2 Max and all-cause mortality. Higher VO2 Max levels were associated with lower risks of death from all causes.
  • VO2 Max was a strong and independent predictor of mortality, with each 1 MET increase in fitness corresponding to a 13% reduction in risk of death.
  • The study concluded that direct or indirect measurement of VO2 Max can provide a good estimate for cardiorespiratory fitness level and prognosis. Poor cardiorespiratory fitness is an important and independent risk factor for premature death and can be considered as significant as smoking, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.

Vo2 Max

Study 2: Cardiorespiratory Fitness is a Strong and Consistent Predictor of Morbidity and Mortality Among Adults: An Overview of Meta-Analyses Representing Over 20.9 Million Observations from 199 Unique Cohort Studies

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2024

Who Conducted It:

Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada. School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa. Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia.

Size of Study:

Over 20.9 million observations from 199 unique cohort studies.

Study Details:

  • Overview of systematic reviews of cohort studies evaluating the predictive associations between baseline cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and health outcomes.
  •  CRF measured using the following approaches:
    • Maximal exercise testing with gas analysis (directly measured VO2 Max/peak).
    • Maximal or submaximal exercise testing without gas analysis, using either exercise prediction equations to estimate CRF or measured exercise performance (indirect measures).
    • Non-exercise prediction equations for estimating CRF.

Key Find/Results:

  • High CRF was strongly associated with lower risk for a variety of mortality and incident chronic conditions.
  • CRF had the largest risk reduction for all-cause mortality when comparing high versus low CRF.
  • A dose-response relationship for every 1-metabolic equivalent of task (MET) higher level of CRF was associated with an 11%-17% reduction in all-cause mortality.
  • CRF was associated with the largest risk reduction in incident heart failure when comparing high versus low CRF.
  • Among those living with cardiovascular disease, high CRF was associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality.

Vo2 Max

Study 3: Lifetime Risks for Cardiovascular Disease Mortality by Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels Measured at Ages 45, 55, and 65 Years in Men. The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2024

Who Conducted It:

-

Size of Study:

11,049 participants

Study Details:

  • Participants: Men who underwent clinical examination at the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas, before 1990.
  • Follow-Up Period: Median follow-up of 25.3 years, totaling 281,469 person-years.
  •  Fitness Measurement: Fitness was assessed by the Balke protocol, which is a standardized exercise test used to measure VO2 Max by having participants walk or run on a treadmill at a constant speed with increasing incline. Fitness levels were categorized into low, moderate, and high based on treadmill time.
  • Lifetime Risk Estimation: Lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) death was estimated for fitness levels measured at ages 45, 55, and 65 years, using data from the National Death Index, with non-CVD death as the competing event.

Key Find/Results:

  • Age 45 Years: Lifetime risk for CVD death was 13.7% for low fitness vs. 3.4% for high fitness.
  • Age 55 Years: Lifetime risk for CVD death was 34.2% for low fitness vs. 15.3% for high fitness.
  • Age 65 Years: Lifetime risk for CVD death was 35.6% for low fitness vs. 17.1% for high fitness.
  • Low fitness in mid-life, as measured by the Balke protocol and corresponding VO2 Max, was associated with a higher lifetime risk for CVD death, especially among individuals with a high burden of CVD risk factors.
  • Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness were significantly associated with a reduced lifetime risk of CVD mortality.

suPAR

Study 1: Association Between Elevated suPAR, a New Biomarker of Inflammation, and Accelerated Aging

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2021

Who Conducted It:

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

Size of Study:

997 participants

Study Details:

  • Individuals from the Dunedin Study, a population-representative 1972–1973 New Zealand birth cohort.
  • Plasma suPAR levels were measured at ages 38 and 45 years.
  • Regression analyses were performed, adjusted for sex, smoking, C-reactive protein, and current health conditions.
  • The study followed participants from childhood to adulthood, with key measurements taken at ages 38 and 45.

Key Find/Results:

  • Elevated suPAR levels were associated with an accelerated pace of biological aging across multiple organ systems and with structural signs of older brain age.
  • Participants with higher suPAR levels exhibited greater declines in physical function and cognitive function from childhood to adulthood compared to those with lower suPAR levels.
  • Higher suPAR levels were linked to older facial appearance.
  • Improvements in health habits between ages 38 and 45, such as smoking cessation or increased physical activity, were associated with less steep increases in suPAR levels over those years.
  • The findings support the utility of suPAR as a biomarker for studying chronic inflammation’s role in accelerated aging and functional decline.
  • Monitoring suPAR levels can help identify individuals at risk for accelerated aging and guide interventions to improve long-term health outcomes.

suPAR

Study 2: Healthy Lifestyles Reduce suPAR and Mortality in a Danish General Population Study

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2019

Who Conducted It:

Clinical Research Centre, Amager and Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.

Size of Study:

3,225 participants

Study Details:

  • Individuals from the Inter99 study, a population-based study in Denmark.
  • Paired suPAR measurements were taken at baseline and after 5 years. The study also assessed participants’ diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity.
  • Linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between suPAR levels and lifestyle habits, adjusted for demographics and lifestyle habits.
  • Mortality data were collected during a 6.1-year follow-up period after the 5-year visit.

Key Find/Results:

  • Impact of Lifestyle on suPAR Levels:
    • Unhealthy diet associated with a 5.9% higher 5-year suPAR level.
    • Low physical activity associated with a 12.8% higher 5-year suPAR level.
    • Daily smoking associated with a 17.6% higher 5-year suPAR level.
  • Unhealthy lifestyle habits significantly increase suPAR levels, which are associated with higher mortality risk.
  • suPAR is proposed as a candidate biomarker for monitoring lifestyle changes and the subsequent risk of mortality.
  • Improvements in lifestyle habits can reduce suPAR levels and potentially lower the risk of premature death.

suPAR

Study 3: Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor: A Risk Factor for Carotid Plaque, Stroke, and Coronary Artery Disease

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2013

Who Conducted It:

Clinical Research Unit, Medicine, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, Sweden

Size of Study:

5,166 participants

Study Details:

  • Men and women aged 45 to 68 years, participating in the Malmö Diet and Cancer study.
  • Plasma levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and the occurrence of carotid plaque were assessed.
  • Incidences of ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD) were monitored.
  • Follow-up period of a mean of 15 years.

Key Find/Results:

  • Subjects with carotid plaque had significantly higher levels of suPAR compared with those without carotid plaque.
  • suPAR is associated with an increased occurrence of carotid plaque and a higher incidence of ischemic stroke and CAD.
  • The presence of both elevated levels of suPAR and carotid plaque significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke in an additive manner.
  • Elevated suPAR levels, particularly in the presence of carotid plaque, indicate a higher risk for these cardiovascular events, emphasizing the need for monitoring and potentially targeting suPAR levels in preventive health strategies.

InBody

Study 1: Skeletal Muscle Mass as a Mortality Predictor among Nonagenarians and Centenarians: A Prospective Cohort Study

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2019

Who Conducted It:

Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

Size of Study:

738 participants

Study Details:

  • Community-dwelling individuals aged 90 years and older (mean age of 93.5 ± 3.2 years) in China.
  • Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was estimated using a previously validated anthropometric equation. The muscle mass index (SMI) was calculated as muscle mass divided by height squared (kg/m²).
  • Information on survival status was collected from local government registries over a 4-year follow-up period after the baseline investigation.

Key Find/Results:

  • The mean SMI was 6.11 ± 0.53 kg/m² in men and 4.00 ± 0.63 kg/m² in women.
  • Low muscle mass was associated with a higher risk of death in women (hazard ratio [HR] 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–2.16).
  • Disability in activities of daily living (ADL) was associated with increased all-cause mortality in both men and women (HR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.13–2.63). Cognitive impairment was associated with increased all-cause mortality in men (HR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.05–2.13).
  • The study highlights the importance of maintaining skeletal muscle mass for longevity, especially in older women. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to preserve muscle mass, manage disability, and address cognitive impairment to improve health outcomes in the oldest-old population.

InBody

Study 2: Muscle Mass Index As a Predictor of Longevity in Older Adults

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2014

Who Conducted It:

David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles

Size of Study:

3,659 participants

Study Details:

  • Individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III who were aged 55 years or older (65 years if women) at the time of the survey (1988-1994).
  • Individuals who were underweight or died in the first 2 years of follow-up were excluded to remove frail elders from the sample.
  • Skeletal muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance, and muscle mass index was defined as muscle mass divided by height squared (kg/m²).
  • Modified Poisson regression and proportional hazards regression were used to examine the relationship of muscle mass index with all-cause mortality risk and rate, respectively, adjusted for central obesity (waist-hip ratio) and other significant covariates.

Key Find/Results:

  • Greater muscle mass in older adults is associated with lower all-cause mortality.
  • Muscle mass as a critical factor in the health and longevity of older individuals.
  • Maintaining or increasing muscle mass could be an important intervention to enhance longevity and reduce mortality risk in older adults.
  • This study demonstrates the survival prediction ability of relative muscle mass and highlights the importance of assessing muscle mass, not just total body mass, in evaluating the health of older adults.

InBody

Study 3: Low Skeletal Muscle Mass Index and All-Cause Mortality Risk in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2023

Who Conducted It:

Faculty of Health Service, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China

Size of Study:

16 prospective studies including 81,358 participants with 11,696 deaths ascertained.

Study Details:

  • General adult population.
  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies examining the relationship between low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and all-cause mortality.
  • Follow-up period of 3 to 14.4 years.

Key Find/Results:

  • Low SMI is significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality.
  • The risk of mortality associated with low SMI is higher in adults with a higher BMI.
  • Preventing and treating low SMI may be crucial for reducing mortality risk and promoting healthy longevity.

Functional Blood Panels

Study 1: Blood Biomarker Profiles and Exceptional Longevity: Comparison of Centenarians and Non-Centenarians in a 35-Year Follow-Up of the Swedish AMORIS Cohort

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2023

Who Conducted It:

Unit of epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Sweden

Size of Study:

1,224 participants

Study Details:

  • Individuals from the population-based AMORIS cohort with blood-based biomarker measurements during 1985–1996, followed for up to 35 years in Swedish register data.
  • Biomarkers of metabolism, inflammation, liver function, renal function, anemia, and nutritional status were assessed.
  • Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and cluster analysis were used to compare biomarker profiles between individuals who became centenarians and those who did not.

Key Find/Results:

  • Centenarians displayed more favorable biomarker values from age 65 onwards compared to individuals who died before reaching age 100.
  • Higher levels of favorable biomarkers and lower levels of unfavorable biomarkers were associated with exceptional longevity.
  • Centenarians generally had homogenous biomarker profiles earlier in life, indicating stable health markers over time.
  • Certain biomarker values were associated with an increased chance of reaching age 100.
  • The differences in biomarker values between centenarians and non-centenarians more than a decade prior to death suggest that genetic and/or modifiable lifestyle factors reflected in these biomarkers may play a significant role in achieving exceptional longevity.

Functional Blood Panels

Study 2: Biological Age Estimation Using Circulating Blood Biomarkers

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2023

Who Conducted It:

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London

Size of Study:

306,116 participants

Study Details:

  • Data from the UK Biobank involving 306,116 participants.
  • 60 circulating blood biomarkers were analyzed.
  • Machine learning models, specifically an Elastic-Net derived Cox model with 25 selected biomarkers, were used to predict mortality risk and estimate biological age.

Key Find/Results:

  • The study demonstrates a practical and cost-efficient method for estimating an improved measure of biological age available to the general population, which could lead to better health outcomes through targeted interventions.
  • Biological age, as estimated through blood biomarkers, captures physiological deterioration better than chronological age and is amenable to interventions.

Functional Blood Panels

Study 3: A Metabolic Profile of All-Cause Mortality Risk Identified in an Observational Study of 44,168 Individuals

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2019

Who Conducted It:

-

Size of Study:

44,168 individuals

Study Details:

  • Individuals aged 18-109 years at baseline, from 12 cohorts.
  • 226 metabolic biomarkers measured.
  • Mean follow-up time ranged from 2.76 to 16.70 years across cohorts, with 5512 deaths recorded during the follow-up period.
  • Stepwise (forward-backward) meta-analysis to identify biomarkers associated with all-cause mortality, and comparison of predictive accuracy of identified biomarkers versus conventional risk factors.

Key Find/Results:

  • The study identified 14 blood biomarkers that are strong predictors of all-cause mortality.
  • These biomarkers outperform traditional risk factors in predicting 5- and 10-year mortality risks.
  • Biomarkers reflect various metabolic and inflammatory processes, providing a more accurate assessment of overall health.
  • Biomarker testing offers significant advantages in guiding treatment decisions, especially for older individuals.
  • The affordability and standardization of these biomarker tests make them valuable tools in clinical practice.
  • Early detection and prevention strategies can be enhanced, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Oligoscan

Study 1: The Association of Urinary Heavy Metal Exposure with Frailty Susceptibility and Mortality in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Population-Based Study

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2024

Who Conducted It:

Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science

Size of Study:

5,370 participants

Study Details:

  • Female participants aged 45 and above.
  • Eight heavy metals (tungsten, cobalt, cadmium, uranium, and others) were measured in urine using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, with values adjusted for urinary creatinine to reflect heavy metal exposure.
  • Frailty is characterized as a complex syndrome of crucial importance in geriatric medicine. It manifests through a significant reduction in physical and mental functionality and reserve capacity. This decline severely impairs a patient’s capacity to endure external stress, which profoundly affects their overall health and life expectancy.

Key Find/Results:

  • There is a significant positive correlation between exposure to heavy metal mixtures and frailty onset in middle-aged and older adults.
  • Cobalt, cadmium, and tungsten are prominent contributors to frailty, with cobalt and cadmium directly impacting the long-term life expectancy of frail patients.
  • Higher exposure levels to cadmium and lead are associated with an increased risk of death in frail patients.

Oligoscan

Study 2: Long-Term Low-Level Arsenic Exposure Is Associated with Poorer Neuropsychological Functioning: A Project FRONTIER Study

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2011

Who Conducted It:

Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Size of Study:

434 participants

Study Details:

  • Rural-dwelling adults and elders from Project FRONTIER, including 133 men and 301 women.
  • GIS-based groundwater arsenic exposure (current and long-term) was assessed.
  • Detailed neuropsychological functioning was evaluated, including language, visuospatial skills, executive functioning, global cognition, processing speed, and immediate memory.

Key Find/Results:

  • Both current and long-term groundwater arsenic exposure were significantly related to poorer scores in language, visuospatial skills, and executive functioning.
  • Long-term low-level exposure to arsenic was significantly correlated with poorer scores in global cognition, processing speed, and immediate memory.
  • The correlation between arsenic exposure and the domains of executive functioning and memory is critically important, as these cognitive domains reflect the earliest manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease.

Oligoscan

Study 3: Environmental Toxic Metal Contaminants and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2018

Who Conducted It:

Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge

Size of Study:

37 unique studies comprising 348,259 participants

Study Details:

  • 348,259 non-overlapping participants with 13,033 coronary heart disease (CHD) outcomes, 4,205 stroke outcomes, and 15,274 cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in aggregate.
  • Studies reporting risk estimates for CVD, CHD, and stroke for levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, or copper were included.

Key Find/Results:

  • Results of this meta-analysis indicate that exposure to arsenic, lead, cadmium, and copper is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease.
  • These findings reinforce the importance of environmental toxic metals in cardiovascular risk, beyond the roles of conventional behavioral risk factors.

Red Light Therapy

Study 1: Red Light and the Sleep Quality and Endurance Performance of Chinese Female Basketball Players

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2012

Who Conducted It:

Researchers from several institutions, including the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

Size of Study:

20 female basketball players

Study Details:

  • Participants were divided into red-light treatment (n = 10) and placebo (n = 10) groups.
  • The red-light treatment participants received 30 minutes of irradiation from a red-light therapy instrument every night for 14 days. 
  • The placebo group did not receive light illumination.

Key Find/Results:

  • improved sleep quality via increases in blood melatonin level 
  • increased endurance performance in the athletes

Red Light Therapy

Study 2: A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2019

Who Conducted It:

Conducted by researchers from the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Italy.

Size of Study:

136 volunteers

Study Details:

  • 113 subjects randomly assigned into four treatment groups were treated twice a week with either 611-650 or 570-850 nm light and were compared with controls (n=23). 
  • The data collected at baseline and after 30 sessions included blinded evaluations of clinical photography, ultrasonographic collagen density measurements, computerized digital profilometry, and an assessment of patient satisfaction.

Key Find/Results:

The study reported significant improvements in skin texture, including the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, and an increase in intradermal collagen density. These results suggest that red light therapy can effectively enhance skin health and appearance.

Red Light Therapy

Study 3: Effect of Transcranial Low-Level Light Therapy vs Sham Therapy Among Patients With Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2020

Who Conducted It:

Conducted by researchers from various institutions, including Harvard Medical School.

Size of Study:

The study involved a group of 68 patients with moderate traumatic brain injury.

Study Details:

  • A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial from 2015 to 2019 with 68 participants suffering from moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI), randomized to receive either red light therapy or a sham treatment.
  • Red light therapy was administered within 72 hours post-injury, using a custom-built helmet, with follow-up MRI scans and clinical assessments using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire (RPQ) conducted at multiple stages up to 6 months.

Key Find/Results:

  • Improvement in task initiation and planning
  • Improvement in organisation
  • Improvement in sustained attention

Red Light Therapy

Study 4: "Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on the Nuclear Factor (NF)-κB Signaling Pathway in Traumatized Muscle"

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2006

Who Conducted It:

Conducted by researchers from multiple institutions, including the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

Size of Study:

The study involved an experimental model focusing on traumatized muscle tissue.

Study Details:

  • Injury to the gastrocnemius muscle in the rat was produced by a single impact blunt trauma. 
  • A low-level laser (904 nm, 45 mW, and 5 J/cm2) was applied for 35 seconds duration, continuously.

Key Find/Results:

  • Red light therapy reduced the inflammatory response induced by trauma and was able to block the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) release and the activation of NF-kappaB.
  • NF-kappaB induces the expression of various pro-inflammatory genes

Red Light Therapy

Study 5: Evaluation of inflammatory biomarkers associated with oxidative stress and histological assessment of low-level laser therapy in experimental myopathy

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2010

Who Conducted It:

Universidad Nacional de Córdoba in Argentina.

Size of Study:

-

Study Details:

  • This study investigated the effects of two types of red light therapy treatments on muscle injury. 
  • It involved six groups of subjects: a control group, a group with muscle injury, and four groups with muscle injury treated with different red light lasers (He-Ne and Ga-As).
  •  The muscle injury was created using adrenaline injections. 
  • The treated groups received low-level laser therapy for seven days. 
  • The researchers then analyzed muscle tissue and various health markers to assess the effectiveness of the laser treatments.

Key Find/Results:

  • Reduction in inflammatory biomarkers
  • Reduction in oxidative stress

Whole Body Cryotherapy

Study 1: Time-course of changes in inflammatory response after whole-body cryotherapy multi exposures following severe exercise

Benefit:Effective in reducing muscle soreness and inflammation after intense exercise, accelerating recovery, and improving overall muscle healing.

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2011

Who Conducted It:

Research Department, National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP), Paris, France.

Size of Study:

11 endurance trained male athletes

Study Details:

  • This study aimed to compare the effects of two recovery methods on muscle damage and inflammation after a simulated trail running race. 
  • Eleven endurance-trained males participated in two trials: one with passive recovery and the other with whole body cryotherapy (WBC) for 96 hours post-exercise. 
  • Each participant ran on a treadmill for 48 minutes and then underwent either passive recovery or WBC. 
  • The researchers measured levels of various inflammation markers at rest, immediately after exercise, and at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours during recovery.

Key Find/Results:

  • Repeated whole-body cryotherapy sessions significantly reduced the inflammatory response in subjects after severe exercise
  • A decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that cryotherapy can effectively reduce muscle inflammation and aid in muscle recovery

Whole Body Cryotherapy

Study 2: Whole-Body Cryotherapy Is an Effective Method of Reducing Abdominal Obesity in Menopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Benefit: Cryotherapy has been found to contribute to weight loss, particularly in reducing abdominal obesity.

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2020

Who Conducted It:

Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Physical Education in Krakow, Poland

Size of Study:

The study involved a group of 37 women, 19 of whom were menopausal women with excess abdominal weight

Study Details:

  • This study investigated the impact of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on body composition and measured blood compound levels of irisin, which is linked to metabolism, IL-6, important for immune response and inflammation, and CRP, a marker for inflammation in the body.) in two groups of women: those with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and healthy women (HW). 
  • It involved 19 women with MetS, average age around 61 years and BMI around 30, and 18 healthy women, average age around 60 years and BMI around 25.5. 
  • All participants underwent 20 sessions of WBC at -130°C for 3 minutes each day.

Key Find/Results:

  • A reduction in waist circumference
  • A reduction in body fat percentage
  • A reduction in the thickness of abdominal and triceps skinfolds

Whole Body Cryotherapy

Study 3: Whole-Body Cryotherapy Decreases the Levels of Inflammatory, Oxidative Stress, and Atherosclerosis Plaque Markers in Male Patients with Active-Phase Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Absence of Classical Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Benefit:Cryotherapy is particularly effective in reducing systemic inflammation, which is beneficial not only for athletes but also for individuals with inflammatory diseases.

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2018

Who Conducted It:

Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Silesia, Poland

Size of Study:

32 male patients with ankylosing spondylitis (an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the bones in the spine, called vertebrae, to fuse)

Study Details:

  • The study assessed how whole-body cryotherapy followed by exercise therapy affects inflammation, oxidative stress, cholesterol levels, and artery plaque in men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). 
  • The study also measured disease activity using BASDAI and BASFI scores. 
  • The results were compared with those from a group that only received exercise therapy.

Key Find/Results:

  • Significantly decreased levels of markers associated with inflammation – hsCRP and CER in the group that received cryotherapy and exercise therapy.

Whole Body Cryotherapy

Study 4: Whole-body cryotherapy as adjunct treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders

Benefit:The exposure to extreme cold is thought to trigger physiological and biochemical changes that can positively affect mood.

Link:

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Date:

Published in 2008

Who Conducted It:

Department of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, Poland

Size of Study:

60 people, both consisting of control and outpatients 18–65 years old with depressive and anxiety disorders

Study Details:

  • Two groups of outpatients aged 18-65 with depression and anxiety were studied. Both groups, one with 34 people and the other with 26, received standard medication for their conditions. 
  • Additionally, the second group also underwent 15 daily sessions in a cryogenic chamber for 2-3 minutes at temperatures between -160°C and -110°C. 
  • The effectiveness of the treatments was measured using the Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scales.

Key Find/Results:

  • Significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in the participants
  • Hamilton’s depression rating scale (HDRS-17) was used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms 
  • This was attributed to hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the endogenous opioid system which are activated in response to stress

Whole Body Cryotherapy

Study 5: Evaluation of changes in selected skin parameters under the influence of extremely low temperature

Potential Benefit: While direct evidence linking cryotherapy to increased skin collagen is limited, cryotherapy's impact on reducing inflammation and oxidative stress may indirectly benefit skin health.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2019

Who Conducted It:

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wrocław Medical University, Poland.

Size of Study:

The study involved 20 women.

Study Details:

  • It involved 20 women, averaging 58.7 years old, who underwent whole-body cryotherapy. 
  • The researchers measured their skin hydration, oiliness, temperature, and pH before and after entering a cryo-chamber on the first and tenth days of treatment. 
  • They then compared these measurements to see the changes.

Key Find/Results:

  • The facial skin was found to be more lubricated and hydrated compared to other measured areas.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Study 1: Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Healing of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Benefit: HBOT accelerates the body’s natural healing of tissues by increasing oxygen levels, crucial for cellular function and reparative processes.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2017

Who Conducted It:

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan

Size of Study:

The study involved 38 patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers.

Study Details:

  • The study involved 38 patients with nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) who couldn’t have vascular surgery. 
  • They were split into two groups: 20 patients received standard care plus hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and 18 got only standard care. 
  •  
  • For the treatment, HBOT was given in a chamber at 2.5 times normal air pressure for 120 minutes, five days a week, over four weeks. 
  • All patients received regular wound care, including cleaning of the wound, topical treatment for certain foot ulcers, diet management, and medication to control blood sugar. 
  • The study measured wound healing, did blood tests for inflammation, and used a survey to assess the patients’ quality of life.

Key Find/Results:

  • Complete diabetic foot ulcer closure achieved in some patients
  • A lower amputation rate was seen in the HBOT group vs routine care group
  • Statistically significant improvements in inflammation index, blood flow, and health-related quality of life from pretreatment to 2 weeks after the last therapy ended

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Study 2: Efficacy and safety of hyperbaric oxygen treatment in SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia: a systematic review

Benefit: It can inhibit harmful bacteria and strengthen the immune system, while the increased oxygen concentration in tissues helps them resist infection.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2021

Who Conducted It:

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital,, Canada

Size of Study:

37 hypoxaemic COVID-19 patients treated with HBOT, (ranging from 24 to 87 years old)

Study Details:

  • Six studies, including one larger study and five smaller reports, looked at 37 COVID-19 patients with low oxygen levels who were treated with HBOT. 
  • Out of these, 26 patients were evaluated in three of the studies for their need for breathing support and survival. 
  • Among these 26, 24 didn’t need a ventilator, and 23 survived. 
  • There were no serious side effects from HBOT reported in these COVID-19 patients, and no large-scale randomized trials have been done yet.

Key Find/Results:

  • The majority of the patients did not need mechanical ventilation
  • Improvements in oxygen saturation were observed
  • Improvements in respiratory rate were observed
  • Improvements in walking distance were observed
  • Improvements in shortness of breath were observed

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Study 3: Response of blood vessels in vitro to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO): Modulation of VEGF and NOx release by external lactate or arginine

Benefit: HBOT encourages the formation of new blood vessels, improving circulation and enhancing heart health.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2009

Who Conducted It:

School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth

Size of Study:

The study was conducted in vitro (in a controlled environment outside of a living organism).

Study Details:

  • This study used a special setup with isolated blood vessels to see how different types of oxygen treatments affect certain factors related to blood vessel growth and healing. 
  • They tested regular air, normal oxygen, and high-pressure oxygen (hyperbaric oxygen) and measured substances like VEGF, nitrite and nitrate, LDH, and lactate in two different solutions. 
  • One solution was normal, and the other was altered to resemble a wound environment. They checked if the blood vessels stayed healthy during these tests.

Key Find/Results:

  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy modulates the release of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NOx), which are crucial for the formation and health of blood vessels 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Study 4: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Reduces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation, and Increases Growth Factors Favouring the Healing Process of Diabetic Wounds

Benefit: HBOT creates an oxygen-rich environment that helps reduce inflammation and swelling throughout the body.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2022

Who Conducted It:

Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic IslandsSpain

Size of Study:

18 patients (65.7 ± 5.5 years) who had chronic non-healing diabetic wounds

Study Details:

  • 18 patients, averaging about 65 years old with chronic non-healing diabetic wounds, joined the study. 
  • They went through 20 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) over four weeks, from Monday to Friday. 
  • Each session lasted an hour in a hyperbaric chamber with 100% oxygen at 2.2 times the normal air pressure.
  •  Blood samples were taken from their arm vein before the first, fifth, and twentieth sessions, and one more sample was collected 28 days after their wounds healed, to serve as a comparison.

Key Find/Results:

  • This study found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic wounds (via a reduction in blood inflammatory markers) 
  • It also increased the levels of growth factors that favor the healing process

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Study 5: HBOT has a better cognitive outcome than NBH for patients with mild traumatic brain injury: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Benefit: HBOT can increase blood flow to the brain, supporting cognitive functions and potentially keeping the brain youthful.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2023

Who Conducted It:

The Third Department of Neurosurgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, China

Size of Study:

110 patients: control group (group C, n = 36), NBH group (n = 37) and HBOT group (n = 37).

Study Details:

  • From October 2017 to March 2023, a study was done at Cangzhou Central Hospital on patients who had mild traumatic brain injuries within 24 hours of their injury. 
  • They were divided into three groups: a control group, a group that received normal pressure oxygen therapy (NBH), and a group that underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in a high-pressure chamber. 
  • The levels of certain brain and oxygen-related markers in their blood were measured using ELISA at three times: right before, right after, and 30 days after their treatment. 
  • They also had their cognitive functions and brain oxygen levels checked at these times.

Key Find/Results:

  • Patients with mild traumatic brain injury who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy showed better cognitive outcomes compared to those who received normobaric hypoxia (NBH). 
  • HBOT improves cerebral hypoxia and alleviates brain injury

Infrared Sauna

Study 1: Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events

Benefit: Enhances blood flow, improving overall cardiovascular health.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2015

Who Conducted It:

Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) Study. The Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (KIHD) is a major epidemiologic research project started in the 1980s in Eastern Finland. Over 20 years, it has resulted in more than 400 research papers. Initially, it involved nearly 3,000 men aged 42 to 60 from the Kuopio region. A decade later, the study expanded to include over 1,000 women of the same age group.

Size of Study:

2,315 middle-aged men from eastern Finland

Study Details:

  • As part of the Finnish Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (KIHD), a large-scale epidemiologic project, we conducted a prospective cohort study focusing on 2,315 middle-aged men (aged 42 to 60) from Eastern Finland. 
  • This specific study began with baseline examinations carried out from March 1, 1984, to December 31, 1989, as an integral part of the KIHD’s ongoing research efforts.

Key Find/Results:

  • Men who used the sauna two to three times per week were 27% less likely to die from cardiovascular-related causes than men who didn’t use the sauna.
  • Benefits experienced were found to be dose-dependent: Men who used the sauna roughly twice as often, about four to seven times per week, experienced roughly twice the benefits – and were 50% less likely to die from cardiovascular-related causes.
  • Frequent sauna users were found to be 40% less likely to die from all causes of premature death

Infrared Sauna

Study 2: Effect of a Single Finnish Sauna Session on White Blood Cell Profile and Cortisol Levels in Athletes and Non-Athletes

Benefit: Regular sauna sessions can strengthen the immune system, offering protection against various illnesses.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2013

Who Conducted It:

Institute of Biomedical Science, University School of Physical Education, Poland

Size of Study:

18 people

Study Details:

  • People from both groups spent 15 minutes in a sauna heated to about 96°C until their body temperature increased by 1.2°C, followed by a 2-minute cooldown with water around 19-20°C. 
  • The participants were weighed and blood samples were taken before and after the sauna, and their rectal temperature was checked every five minutes. 
  • Blood was then tested for total protein, blood cell counts, and cortisol levels.

Key Find/Results:

  • An increased number of white blood cells, lymphocyte, neutrophil and basophil counts was reported in the white blood cell profile
  • The sauna session caused significantly elevated blood cortisol levels in men from both studied groups
  • The levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in the blood increased for all men after using the sauna, but the increase was more significant in men who were not trained or physically fit compared to those who were athletes.
  • In summary, the physiological response to sauna bathing in untrained individuals initially involves a significant stress response marked by increased cortisol production. However, with regular use, the body adapts, leading to a more moderated cortisol response and improved overall stress resilience.

Infrared Sauna

Study 3: Sauna bathing is inversely associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in middle-aged Finnish men

Benefit: There is promising research indicating that sauna use may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and support overall brain health.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2017

Who Conducted It:

Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) Study

Size of Study:

2,315 healthy men aged 42–60 years at baseline, with examinations conducted between 1984 and 1989

Study Details:

  • The Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease study initially assessed the frequency of sauna bathing among 2,315 healthy men aged 42-60, with baseline examinations conducted between 1984 and 1989. 
  • The study then used Cox-regression modeling to determine the risk (hazard ratios) of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Key Find/Results:

  • Frequent sauna use reduced the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in a dose-dependent manner. 
  • Men who used the sauna four to seven times per week had a 66% lower risk of developing dementia and a 65% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease – compared to men who used the sauna only one time per week

Infrared Sauna

Study 4: Sauna bathing and systemic inflammation

Benefit: Infrared sauna therapy can help reduce inflammation by promoting increased circulation, enhancing detoxification, and inducing a stress response that activates the body’s natural anti-inflammatory processes.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2018

Who Conducted It:

Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland

Size of Study:

2,000 men living in Finland

Study Details:

  • The study involved 2,084 men aged 42-60 who didn’t have inflammation. 
  • Of these, 25.6% used a sauna once a week, 65.6% 2-3 times a week, and 8.8% 4-7 times a week. 
  • On average, those who used the sauna more often had lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. 
  • After considering factors like age, weight, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, heart issues, cholesterol, alcohol use, and physical activity, the study found a clear link: more frequent sauna use was associated with lower inflammation levels.

Key Find/Results:

  • The higher the sauna use, the lower the CRP levels
  • Elevated CRP levels are associated with increased risk of heart diseases, including atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events

Infrared Sauna

Study 5: Whole body hyperthermia improves obesity-induced insulin resistance in diabetic mice

Benefit: Repeated treatment with a far-infrared sauna has been shown to significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2006

Who Conducted It:

Biomedical Safety Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto

Size of Study:

Insulin resistant diabetic mice, 30 minutes of heat treatment three times a week for 12 week

Study Details:

  • This study looked at how whole body heating (WBH) affects insulin resistance in diabetic mice that are obese. 
  • The male diabetic mice were heated up to a body temperature of 38.0°C three times a week for 12 weeks. 
  • Each heating session lasted for 30 minutes. 
  • Every week, the mice’s blood sugar levels were checked after fasting, and the activity of the GLUT-4 gene in their muscle tissue, which is important for insulin function, was measured using a special PCR test.

Key Find/Results:

  • 31 percent decrease in plasma insulin levels
  • A significant reduction in blood glucose levels

Infrared Sauna

Study 6: Effect of post-exercise sauna bathing on the endurance performance of competitive male runners

Benefit: Heat stress from using the sauna may modulate improvements in physical fitness and athletic performance by increasing endurance and maintaining or promoting gains in muscle mass.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2006

Who Conducted It:

University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

Size of Study:

Six male distance runners completed 3 wk of post-training sauna bathing and 3 wk of control training

Study Details:

  • In this study, six male long-distance runners alternated between three weeks of post-training sauna sessions and three weeks of regular training, with a three-week break in between. 
  • During the sauna phase, they sat in a hot, humid sauna (around 90°C) for about 31 minutes after exercising, doing this around 13 times in total. 
  • Their performance was tested with a 15-minute treadmill run at their best 5km speed, done twice after each phase and the times were averaged. 
  • Before the first run in each phase, their blood volumes were measured using a special dye method.

Key Find/Results:

  • One 30-minute sauna session twice a week for three weeks post-workout increased the time that it took for the study participants to run until exhaustion by 32% compared to their baseline
  • Performance improvements were accompanied by a 7.1% increase in plasma volume and a 3.5% increase in red blood cells

Infrared Sauna

Study 7: Blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study: monitoring and elimination of bioaccumulated toxic elements

Benefit: Sweating facilitates the excretion of certain toxicants that bioaccumulate in the muscle, adipose tissues, and organs of humans. Sauna use induces substantial sweat losses, with the average person losing approximately 0.5 kg of sweat while sauna bathing.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2011

Who Conducted It:

University of Alberta, Canada

Size of Study:

Blood, urine, and sweat were collected from 20 individuals (10 healthy participants and 10 participants with various health problems) and analyzed for approximately 120 various compounds, including toxic elements.

Study Details:

  • This study looked at how toxic elements that build up in the body are removed.
  • Researchers tested the blood, urine, and sweat of 20 people, including 10 healthy individuals and 10 with health issues, for about 120 different substances, including toxins. 
  • They found varying levels of toxins in each fluid. Interestingly, sweat seemed to be a key way the body gets rid of many toxins, some of which were in sweat but not in blood. 
  • This suggests that sweating might be an effective way to remove certain toxins from the body.

Key Find/Results:

  • Markedly higher excretion of aluminum (3.75-fold), cadmium (25-fold), cobalt (7-fold), and lead (17-fold) was observed in sweat versus urine

PEMF

Study 1: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a low-frequency magnetic field in the treatment of musculoskeletal chronic pain

Benefit: Effective in reducing chronic and acute pain.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2007

Who Conducted It:

Conducted by researchers including Thomas AW, Graham K, Prato FS, et al.

Size of Study:

50 adult patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Study Details:

  • This study was a controlled trial where adult patients with fibromyalgia (FM) or other types of localized pain were randomly assigned to use either a real PEMF device or a fake one without knowing which they had. 
  • The main goal was to see if using the PEMF device twice a day for a week significantly reduced their pain, as reported on a pain scale, compared to the fake treatment. 
  • Additionally, it aimed to see if PEMF had different effects on patients with widespread chronic pain from FM compared to those with localized muscle or inflammatory pain.

Key Find/Results:

  • This clinical trial found that low-frequency PEMF therapy significantly reduced chronic musculoskeletal pain compared to a placebo.

PEMF

Study 2: Impact of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on vascular function and blood pressure in hypertensive individuals

Benefit: PEMF therapy can positively impact vascular function and blood pressure in individuals with hypertension.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2021

Who Conducted It:

Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Mayo Clinic

Size of Study:

The study involved 30 hypertensive individuals, who received PEMF therapy 3x/day for 12 weeks (PEMF group (n = 15) or control group (n = 15))

Study Details:

  • This study looked at how 12 weeks of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy affected blood vessel function, blood pressure, and nitric oxide levels in 30 people with high blood pressure. 
  • They were divided into two groups: one received PEMF therapy three times a day, and the other did not. Before and after the 12 weeks, their blood vessel dilation, blood pressure, and nitric oxide levels were measured.

Key Find/Results:

  • PEMF group demonstrated significant improvements in FMD, but the control group did not
  • Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a simple, non-invasive test that assesses the health of blood vessels and helps predict the risk of heart-related events.
  • PEMF group demonstrated reduction in blood pressure, but the control group did not

PEMF

Study 3: Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field on mandibular fracture healing: A randomized control trial (RCT)

Benefit: Accelerates bone healing and is beneficial in treating osteoporosis.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2019

Who Conducted It:

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Size of Study:

16 patients with a mandibular fracture who were hospitalized and 16 controls

Study Details:

  • This study was a randomized control trial involving patients with broken lower jaws who were treated with closed reduction (a non-surgical treatment). 
  • The 32 patients were split into two groups of 16. One group received standard treatment only, while the other group also got pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy. The PEMF group had therapy for 6 hours right after surgery, then 3 hours daily for the next 6 days, and 1.5 hours daily from the 8th to the 13th day after surgery. 
  • Four weeks after surgery, the device used to fix their jaws was removed. The effectiveness of the treatments was checked both clinically and with digital panoramic X-rays to compare bone density between the two groups.

Key Find/Results:

PEMF therapy postoperatively leads to 

  • increased bone density
  • faster recovery
  • increased formation of new bone
  • a further opening of the mouth
  •  decreased pain

PEMF

Study 4: Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field treatment on programmed resolution of inflammation pathway markers in human cells in culture

Benefit: Helps in reducing inflammation at a cellular level, beneficial for various inflammatory conditions.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2015

Who Conducted It:

Life Science Department, Regenesis Biomedical, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Size of Study:

The study was conducted on human cells in culture.

Study Details:

  • The study examined the impact of PEMF on gene expression related to inflammation in skin cells. 
  • Using three types of human skin cells – fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and mononuclear cells – it focused on how PEMF influences genes during the initial and healing phases of skin inflammation.

Key Find/Results:

  • PEMF therapy helps resolve chronic inflammation by triggering changes in gene expression that are crucial for reducing inflammation.
  • The findings indicate that PEMF therapy can play a significant role in reducing inflammation at a cellular level, which can have broader implications for treating various inflammatory conditions.

PEMF

Study 5: Brief, weekly magnetic muscle therapy improves mobility and lean body mass in older adults: a Southeast Asia community case study

Benefit: Improves muscle function and aids in recovery post-exercise.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2023

Who Conducted It:

Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National University of Singapore

Size of Study:

101 participants, 62% female, aged 38–91 years - the quadriceps region of subjects was exposed to PEMF once a week for 10 min, over 12 weeks, on alternating legs each week

Study Details:

  • This study included data from 101 people, mostly women, aged between 38 and 91 years. 
  • Most of them (87%) had problems with moving around, and the rest (13%) were healthy volunteers. 
  • All of them did mobility tests before and after using PEMF for 12 weeks. 
  • Additionally, a smaller group was tested with bioelectrical impedance analysis at 4 and 8 weeks into the study.

Key Find/Results:

  • Brief weekly PEMF exposure of the upper limb of humans produces clinically relevant improvements in pain, mobility, and indications of lean muscle mass
  • The results suggest that PEMF therapy can be an effective non-invasive option for enhancing muscle function and physical health in the elderly

Compression Boots

Study 1: Enhanced muscle blood flow with intermittent pneumatic compression of the lower leg during plantar flexion exercise and recovery

Benefit: Enhances blood flow and lymphatic drainage.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2018

Who Conducted It:

University of Waterloo, Department of Kinesiology, Canada

Size of Study:

The study involved 12 participants engaging in plantar flexion exercise.

Study Details:

  • This study looked at whether squeezing the lower leg intermittently would increase blood flow during and after a short exercise. 
  • Twelve healthy people, including eight men, did a three-minute standing calf raise exercise. 
  • They tried three different scenarios: no compression, compression only during exercise, and compression during a two-minute standing recovery period after exercise. 
  • Blood flow in the thigh artery was measured using Doppler ultrasound. 
  • Blood pressure and the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat were also monitored, and the researchers calculated how well the blood vessels were conducting blood.

Key Find/Results:

  • Compression on the lower leg significantly enhanced muscle blood flow during plantar flexion exercise and the recovery period.

Compression Boots

Study 2: Dynamic Compression Enhances Pressure-to-Pain Threshold in Elite Athlete Recovery: Exploratory Study

Benefit: Alleviates muscle soreness and stiffness, particularly after intense physical activity.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2014

Who Conducted It:

Department of Exercise and Sport Science, East Tennessee State University,Tennessee

Size of Study:

Twenty-four highly trained athletes (men = 12 and women = 12)

Study Details:

  • This study aimed to see if a special type of compression therapy, called peristaltic pulse dynamic compression (PPDC), could reduce muscle pain and stiffness in 24 top athletes (12 men and 12 women) after their morning training. 
  • The athletes were split into two groups: one received 15 minutes of PPDC using computer-controlled leggings that applied pressure from the feet to the groin, while the other group wore the leggings without any pressure. 
  • The researchers measured the athletes’ muscle pain in three leg muscles before and after the morning training, after the PPDC treatment, and again after their afternoon training session.

Key Find/Results:

  • dynamic compression significantly enhanced the pressure-to-pain threshold in elite athletes during recovery
  • indicates that pneumatic compression boots are effective in reducing muscle soreness and improving the recovery process after strenuous physical activities

Ice Bath

Study 1: Influence of cold-water immersion on indices of muscle damage following prolonged intermittent shuttle running

Benefit: Ice Baths can significantly reduce muscle soreness following exercise.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2007

Who Conducted It:

Human Muscle Metabolism Research Group, English Institute of Sport, Loughborough University, Loughborough

Size of Study:

20 male athletes completed a 90-min intermittent shuttle run previously shown to result in marked muscle damage and soreness. After exercise, participants were randomly assigned to either 10 min cold-water immersion or a non-immersion control group.

Study Details:

  • This study looked at how soaking in cold water (cryotherapy) affects muscle damage after a long period of stop-and-start exercise. 
  • Twenty men, around 22 years old, did a 90-minute exercise known to cause significant muscle damage and soreness. 
  • Afterwards, they were either put in a 10-minute cold-water bath (about 10 degrees Celsius) or left without immersion. 
  • The researchers then tracked how sore they felt, changes in muscle function, and the release of muscle proteins before the exercise, during the treatment, and for up to 7 days after the exercise.

Key Find/Results:

  • Cold-water immersion (CWI) effectively reduced indicators of muscle damage after intensive exercise.

Ice Bath

Study 2: Effects of long-term whole-body cold exposures on plasma concentrations of ACTH, beta-endorphin, cortisol, catecholamines and cytokines in healthy females

Benefit: Regular ice baths can influence the body’s inflammatory response, potentially reducing inflammation.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2008

Who Conducted It:

Department of Physiology, University of Oulu, Finland

Size of Study:

3 times a week, a group of healthy females (n = 10) was exposed to winter swimming (water 0-2 degrees C)

Study Details:

  • During the course of 12 weeks, 3 times a week, a group of healthy females (n = 10) was exposed to winter swimming (water 0-2 degrees C) for 20 s and another group (n = 10) to whole-body cryotherapy (air -110 degrees C) for 2 min in a special chamber. 
  • Blood specimens were drawn in weeks 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12, on a day when no cold exposure occurred (control specimens) and on a day of cold exposures (cold specimens) before the exposures (0 min), and thereafter at 5 and 35 min.

Key Find/Results:

  • Long-term exposure to whole-body cold significantly affected the levels of several hormones and cytokines associated with the body’s stress and inflammatory responses
  • Increase in norepinephrine following cold water immersion can have a role in pain alleviation

Ice Bath

Study 3: The effect of short-term cold exposure on risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Benefit: Short-term cold exposure, like in ice baths, can positively impact heart health and the cardiovascular system.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 1999

Who Conducted It:

Department of Medical Physiology, Institute of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tromsø, Norway

Size of Study:

11 young healthy male subjects

Study Details:

  • The study tracked changes in red and white blood cells, platelets, and various blood clotting and inflammation markers over 48 hours in 11 young, healthy men. 
  • These men were exposed to either cold conditions (11 degrees Celsius) for an hour or to a more neutral temperature (26 degrees Celsius) during November.

Key Find/Results:

  • Increase in red blood cells
  • Changes in specific types of white blood cells
  • An increase in a substance involved in blood clotting

Ice Bath

Study 4: Effect of the Depth of Cold Water Immersion on Sleep Architecture and Recovery Among Well-Trained Male Endurance Runners

Benefit: Ice Baths can positively affect sleep quality, particularly in well-trained athletes.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2021

Who Conducted It:

Laboratory of Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA 7370), French National Institute of Sport (INSEP), Paris, France

Size of Study:

The study involved 12 well-trained male endurance runners.

Study Details:

  • The study involved 12 well-trained male runners who completed a simulated evening trail run on a treadmill, followed by one of three recovery methods: a 10-minute full-body cold-water immersion including the head, partial-body immersion up to the waist, or just resting without water. 
  • The study measured their muscle fatigue and damage, including strength tests, jump tests, blood tests for muscle enzymes, and subjective ratings, for 48 hours after the run. 
  • Additionally, the study tracked their core body temperature at night, and monitored their sleep and heart rate variability.

Key Find/Results:

  • Cold water immersion improved sleep quality and recovery in well-trained endurance runners
  • Reduced involuntary limb movements and interruptions in sleep (sleep arousals) after exercising

Ice Bath

Study 5: Improved mood following a single immersion in cold water

Benefit: A single session of ice bath immersion can lead to an improvement in mood.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2021

Who Conducted It:

Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health,University of Chichester, Chichester, UK

Size of Study:

42 participants

Study Details:

  • The study looked at how dipping in cold water affects mood, focusing on times when swimming wasn’t the main activity.
  • Sixty-four college students first filled out a mood questionnaire. 
  • Then, 42 of them spent up to 20 minutes in cold sea water (about 13.6°C), while 22 others didn’t go in the water. 
  • After the cold-water experience, both groups filled out the mood questionnaire again.

Key Find/Results:

  • Study recorded the acute change in mood following a 20 minute immersion in cold water – attributed to the physiological mechanisms responsible for triggering the change in mood
  • Participants reported less negative mood disturbance

Ice Bath

Study 1: Ozone sauna therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy could potentially improve outcome in women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing assisted reproductive technology

Benefit: Ozone Sauna, in combination with pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, may improve fertility outcomes in women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing assisted reproductive technology.

Link:

Click here

Date:

Published in 2023

Who Conducted It:

Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA

Size of Study:

The study focused on women with diminished ovarian reserve.

Study Details:

  • This study investigated the impact of combining Ozone Sauna Therapy (OST) and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) on the success of IVF and frozen embryo transfer in women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). 
  • Forty-four women underwent their first IVF cycle, followed by OST and PEMF treatments twice a week for three weeks, and then proceeded to a second IVF cycle using the same protocol. 
  • In a separate experiment, egg cells from six other women were split into two groups: one group was treated with OST, while the other group served as a control, kept at room temperature, to observe the effects on the cells.

Key Find/Results:

  • The study suggests that the combination of ozone sauna therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy may enhance fertility outcomes.
  • It indicates improvements in ovarian function and overall reproductive health in women undergoing fertility treatments.