Physical therapy interventions for the treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS): Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cryotherapy and other nonpharmacological interventions in managing pain associated with delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Results Summary
The study found that cryotherapy, along with other interventions like contrast therapy and massage, had beneficial effects in reducing DOMS-related pain, though the evidence was of low quality.
Population
Healthy participants with no restrictions on age, sex, or exercise level.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
contrast techniques | decrease | pain associated with DOMS | Healthy participants | p = 0,002 | revealed that the contrast techniques | #1 |
cryotherapy | decrease | DOMS-related pain | Healthy participants | - | have beneficial effects | #2 |
phototherapy | decrease | DOMS-related pain | Healthy participants | - | have beneficial effects | #3 |
vibration | decrease | DOMS-related pain | Healthy participants | - | have beneficial effects | #4 |
ultrasound | decrease | DOMS-related pain | Healthy participants | - | have beneficial effects | #5 |
massage | decrease | DOMS-related pain | Healthy participants | - | have beneficial effects | #6 |
active exercise | decrease | DOMS-related pain | Healthy participants | - | have beneficial effects | #7 |
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of interventions on pain associated with DOMS. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE, PEDro, Cochrane, and Scielo databases were searched, from the oldest records until May/2020. Search terms used included combinations of keywords related to "DOMS" and "intervention therapy". ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Healthy participants (no restrictions were applied, e.g., age, sex, and exercise level). To be included, studies should be: 1) Randomized clinical trial; 2) Having induced muscle damage and subsequently measuring the level of pain; 3) To have applied therapeutic interventions (nonpharmacological or nutritional) and compare with a control group that received no intervention; and 4) The first application of the intervention had to occur immediately after muscle damage had been induced. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-one studies were included. The results revealed that the contrast techniques (p = 0,002 I CONCLUSION: Low quality evidence suggests that contrast, cryotherapy, phototherapy, vibration, ultrasound, massage, and active exercise have beneficial effects in the management of DOMS-related pain.