NCT05704322

The Effectiveness of the Wim Hof Method in People with Spinal Cord Injury

The Effectiveness of the Wim Hof Method on Physical and Mental Health of People with a Spinal Cord Injury

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Stichting Reade · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

People with a spinal cord injury (SCI) often experience secondary medical complications. One of the methods that may help to prevent or deal with secondary complications in people with SCI is the Wim Hof Method (WHM). The WHM is based on three elements: 1) breathing exercises, 2) gradual cold exposure (cold showers, or cold water immersion), and 3) mindset. The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the effects of WHM, involving breathing exercises, mindset (and cold exposure), on health-related quality of life in people with SCI. The secondary objectives are to assess the effects of WHM, involving breathing exercises, mindset (and cold exposure) in people with SCI on: inflammation markers, metabolic health, pulmonary function, body composition, sleep quality, spasticity, stress, and on chronic pain.

Detailed description

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious medical condition that causes functional, psychological and socioeconomic disorder. Long-term, secondary medical complications are common and play an important role in the continuum of care for people with SCI. Complications are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality and lead to increased rates of rehospitalisation, loss of employability and decreased quality of life. During multidisciplinary SCI rehabilitation, the treatment is focussed on working with the patient physically and psychologically to maximize their neurological recovery and general health but also to prevent or deal with the secondary complications. One of the methods that may help to prevent or deal with secondary complications in people with SCI is the Wim Hof Method (WHM). The WHM is based on three elements: 1) breathing exercises, 2) gradual cold exposure (cold showers, or cold water immersion), and 3) mindset. Previous studies showed a positive effect of the WHM on health-related quality of life and the inflammatory profile of healthy individuals as well as patients with active axial spondyloarthritis. Furthermore, a pilot study in people with SCI showed that the WHM (only breathing exercises and mindset) led to positive changes in respiratory function, mental health index, hyperventilation and a trend was visible regarding the hindrance due to spasticity. Some of the participants mentioned that they experienced positive effects on coughing, energy level, mood or used less spasticity medication after the WHM intervention. These positive findings in the pilot study warrant a full-scale randomised-controlled trial (RCT) of this novel therapeutic approach in people with SCI. The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the effects of WHM, involving breathing exercises, mindset (and cold exposure), on health-related quality of life in people with SCI. The secondary objectives are to assess the effects of WHM, involving breathing exercises, mindset (and cold exposure) in people with SCI on: inflammation markers, metabolic health, pulmonary function, body composition, sleep quality, spasticity, stress, and on chronic pain.

Conditions

• Spinal Cord Injuries

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Wim Hof Methode	The intervention groups will follow a 7-weeks intervention, with one practice session per week at the rehabilitation center led by Wim Hof or one of his instructors. Besides these joint weekly sessions, the intervention groups have to practice daily at home with the Wim Hof Method app.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-03-27
• Primary completion: 2024-12-01
• Completion: 2024-12-01
• First posted: 2023-01-30
• Last updated: 2024-12-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Netherlands