Effect of whole-body cryostimulation on skin temperature and thermal comfort in severe obese patients

Obesity is a global public health problem, and new non-surgical or pharmacological treatments are being explored. Among these, cryostimulation has emerged as a new beneficial non-invasive method. Several studies have reported a greater decrease in skin temperature following cryostimulation in individuals with higher BMI or body fat percentage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single 3-min whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) session on skin temperature and cold perception in male and female obese subjects. Skin temperature changes before and after the 3-min cryostimulation exposure were measured in twenty-one participants. Our results showed that the average skin temperature decreased by 12.9 °C without reaching dangerous levels. Individual characteristics such as sex and age should nevertheless be carefully considered to ensure the safety and efficacy of the treatment.