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PNF Versus Cryotherapy in Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

NCT07624032 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 29

Last updated 2026-06-16

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized, double-blind, single-center pilot clinical trial evaluated three interventions for delayed onset muscle soreness in the hamstring muscles.

Twenty-nine untrained adults were included. Delayed onset muscle soreness was induced using two eccentric hamstring exercises. Participants were then assigned to one of three groups: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, local cryotherapy, or placebo consisting of water with sugar.

The main outcome was pressure pain threshold in the hamstring muscles. Other outcomes included knee range of motion, hamstring strength, pain intensity, perceived exertion, and blood lactate levels. Measurements were taken before the eccentric exercise, 24 hours after exercise before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after exercise.

Conditions

  • Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Interventions

OTHER

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

A contract-relax-antagonist-contract proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique was applied to the hamstring muscles. The protocol included isometric hamstring contraction, rest, quadriceps contraction, and passive movement into a deeper hamstring stretch. The protocol was repeated twice on each leg.

OTHER

Local Cryotherapy

Participants were placed in prone position and an ice pack was applied over the hamstring muscles for 20 minutes. A thin cloth was placed between the ice pack and the skin to avoid direct contact.

OTHER

Placebo: Water With Sugar

Participants consumed 200 mL of water with 5 g of dissolved sugar after the eccentric exercise protocol.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Sara Perpiña Martínez, PhD · Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
45 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-01-01
Primary Completion
2025-04-26
Completion
2025-04-30

Countries

  • Spain

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07624032 on ClinicalTrials.gov