Cold Water Immersion and Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2025-02-08
A new systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the health effects of cold water immersion (CWI). Eleven randomized controlled trials involving 3177 participants were included. Results showed CWI caused an immediate increase in inflammation but decreased stress after 12 hours. The impact on immunity was inconclusive. While some evidence suggests CWI may improve sleep quality and quality of life, more high-quality research is needed to confirm benefits and determine optimal applications.