IMPACT OF WHOLE-BODY CRYOSTIMULATION ON AUTONOMIC MODULATION, STRESS HORMONES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE: PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE FROM A PILOT STUDY

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor impairment and a wide range of non-motor symptoms, including autonomic dysfunction, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances, significantly affecting patients’ quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of repeated Whole-Body Cryostimulation (WBC) on autonomic regulation, psychological outcomes, and stress-related biomarkers in patients with PD. Fourteen patients with idiopathic PD underwent a cycle of 10 WBC sessions (−110 °C, 2 minutes) over one week. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed through Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters, including RR interval variability (RRmean, RRmin, RRmax), power density of high and low frequencies (HF, LF), standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and sympathovagal balance (LF/HF). HRV indices, as well as serum cortisol and serotonin levels, were measured before and after the first (T1) and last (T10) WBC sessions. Psychological status was evaluated at baseline and post-intervention using validated questionnaires for depression (BDI), anxiety (STAI-Y1/Y2), and daytime sleepiness (EPWORTH). Significant increases were observed in RR mean, RR min, RR max, RMSSD, and HF spectrum, indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity. Acute serum serotonin levels increased after WBC (p = 0.04), while cortisol decreased at T10 compared with T1 (p = 0.009). Psychological assessment revealed improvements in depressive symptoms (BDI, p= 0.010), anxiety (STAI, p = 0.001), and sleepiness (EPWORTH, p = 0.003). Repeated WBC sessions were safe, well tolerated, and associated with favourable autonomic, biochemical, and psychological effects, supporting WBC as a promising complementary intervention targeting non-motor symptoms and autonomic dysfunction in PD.