MEDISPA.PRO
Ministry of Health code: A24.01.005.001 Axis M6 · Immunity and systemic inflammation CEBM: Level B (Device-based physiotherapy and revitalisation)

Whole-body extreme cryotherapy (-110°C Whole Body Cryotherapy)

Whole-Body Cryotherapy (-110°C)

Industry clinical and economic procedure passport. Full biological mechanism (MoA), patient preparation protocol, first-choice equipment fleet, integration into the resort's master treatment rooms and market price benchmarks.

To the procedure catalogue Equipment fleet Integration treatment rooms Rates and economics
Session duration
3 min
Turnover: ~30 min
Recommended course
10 sessions
daily (10–15 sessions)
Throughput capacity
16 pts
per 8-hour shift
Median rate
4 000 ₽
2 500 ₽ – 6 900 ₽
Course cost
40 000 ₽
at market median
Publication volume
Level B
11 publ. in PubMed

Clinical profile

Short (2–4 minutes) exposure to dry air below −100 °C in a cryochamber. Meta-analyses show reduced inflammatory markers, improved lipids and depressive symptoms, and benefit in ankylosing spondylitis; studies are small and heterogeneous, and Cochrane considers data on post-exercise recovery still insufficient.

Every statement links to a publication in the list below. This is a snapshot of published research, not a final assessment of the method: international practice and integrated protocols often run ahead of official publications. Draft based on published research; requires review by a physician. Revision: 2026-10-17.

Mechanism of action

  • Cold exposure enhances parasympathetic nervous system activity. [6]
  • Lowering tissue temperature appears to suppress mediators of inflammation and joint destruction (cytokines, enzymes, angiogenic factors). [7]
  • Meta-analysis of 11 RCTs: lower IL-1β and higher anti-inflammatory IL-10. [2]

Where studies show an effect

  • Ankylosing spondylitis: improvement in disease activity (BASDAI, ASDAS), function and pain. [3]
  • Rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory rheumatic diseases: as an adjunct to drug therapy. [7]
  • Depressive symptoms and quality of life: preliminary data on additional benefit. [4]
  • Lipid profile: lower total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides. [5]
  • Low back pain in older men and adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: as an adjunct to exercise. [10, 11]

Open questions and study limitations

  • Cochrane: insufficient evidence that cryotherapy reduces muscle soreness or improves post-exercise recovery; there are no data on women or elite athletes. [1]
  • After muscle injury, cryotherapy suppressed the "damage—repair" cascade and may slow muscle regeneration. [8]
  • In multiple sclerosis, cryotherapy without subsequent kinesiotherapy is insufficient for tangible benefit. [9]
  • The meta-analyses are based on a small number of studies with high heterogeneity. [5, 4]

Safety

  • Cochrane notes a lack of data on adverse events, although extreme cold is potentially hazardous. [1]

Protocol in studies

  • Single or repeated stays of 2–4 minutes in a chamber with dry air below −100 °C. [1]
  • In ankylosing spondylitis studies regimens varied from 80 seconds to 3 minutes. [3]
Contraindications. Contraindications are determined by the physician according to the cryochamber instructions and the patient's condition; they are not given in study abstracts.

Equipment fleet and fit-out

Certified first-choice medical equipment and compatible device systems

Equipment registry
Base configuration (Hero Device)
MECOTEC cryo:one+ / Zimmer icelab -110°C electric three-chamber cryosystem

Device platform with proven validation of the biological response. Includes built-in biofeedback sensor systems, patient protection protocols and precision dosing of exposure.

Certification: Russian Ministry of Health registration certificate / CE Medical Device Directive Class IIa/IIb.
Compatible platforms in the MEDISPA.PRO registry
Krion VIP cryosauna
Medical device, Roszdravnadzor registration certificate / CE
In the registry →

Architectural integration and treatment rooms

Resort rooms housing the treatment station (with SanPiN norms and MEP loads)

All treatment rooms →
2.2.3 18.0 m² · Class V

Cryotherapy room

Spa suites, couples' treatment rooms, massage, cryo and floatation · Equipment: 4 371 027 ₽

Treatment room passport →
HMI.CRYO.02 22.0 m² · Class V

General and local cryotherapy room

International flagship high-tech modalities · Equipment: 9 100 000 ₽

Treatment room passport →

Unit economics and resort price benchmarks

Market analysis based on a sample of premium sanatoriums, wellness hotels and preventive medicine clinics

Market price corridor
25th percentile (P25) 2 500 ₽
Market median 4 000 ₽
75th percentile (P75) 6 900 ₽

Median of prices in industry facilities' price lists, 2026

Basis of the price benchmark

Prices for this procedure appear in the price lists of 5 industry facilities; the median and interquartile range across facilities are shown (each facility counts once).

Evidence base

There are meta-analyses with favourable results for inflammation, lipids, depression and ankylosing spondylitis, based on small heterogeneous studies; data on post-exercise recovery are still insufficient.

Publication level B · Some data
  1. 1.
    Whole-body cryotherapy (extreme cold air exposure) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise in adults.
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2015 · Cochrane systematic review · PMID 26383887
    Insufficient evidence that whole-body cryotherapy reduces muscle soreness or speeds post-exercise recovery; few data on harm.
  2. 2.
    Whole-body cryotherapy can reduce the inflammatory response in humans: a meta-analysis based on 11 randomized controlled trials.
    Sci Rep, 2025 · Meta-analysis of 11 RCTs · PMID 40044835
    Cryotherapy lowers IL-1β and raises IL-10; athletes and people with obesity benefit most.
  3. 3.
    Efficacy of Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.
    J Integr Complement Med, 2026 · Systematic review and meta-analysis · PMID 41084233
    Ankylosing spondylitis, 5 studies, 310 patients: improvement in BASDAI, ASDAS, BASFI and pain.
  4. 4.
    A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of whole body cryotherapy on mental health problems.
    Complement Ther Med, 2021 · Systematic review and meta-analysis · PMID 34655758
    Preliminary data on benefit as an adjunct in mental disorders, especially depression; studies are heterogeneous.
  5. 5.
    The impact of whole-body cryotherapy on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Complement Ther Med, 2020 · Systematic review and meta-analysis · PMID 33220621
    Lower total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides; few studies, high heterogeneity.
  6. 6.
    The effects of cold exposure (cold water immersion, whole- and partial- body cryostimulation) on cardiovascular and cardiac autonomic control responses in healthy individuals: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.
    J Therm Biol, 2024 · Systematic review and meta-analysis · PMID 38663342
    Cryostimulation and cold water enhance parasympathetic activity.
  7. 7.
    Cryotherapy in inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a systematic review.
    Expert Rev Clin Immunol, 2014 · Systematic review · PMID 24345205
    Cryotherapy is worth including in inflammatory rheumatic diseases as an adjunct, with possible reduction of NSAID and glucocorticoid doses; RCTs are needed.
  8. 8.
    Multiple Cryotherapy Attenuates Oxi-Inflammatory Response Following Skeletal Muscle Injury.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 · RCT · PMID 33120891
    After muscle injury, cryotherapy reduced inflammation and growth factors, which may delay regeneration.
  9. 9.
    Effect of whole-body cryotherapy on body balance in patients with multiple sclerosis.
    Acta Bioeng Biomech, 2025 · RCT · PMID 40544467
    Multiple sclerosis: reduced spasticity; tangible benefit when combined with kinesiotherapy.
  10. 10.
    Effect of frequent WBC treatments on the back pain therapy in elderly men.
    Aging Male, 2015 · RCT · PMID 25133646
    Older men with low back pain: significant improvement with frequent sessions.
  11. 11.
    Effects of whole-body cryotherapy in the management of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.
    Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2013 · RCT · PMID 22850489
    Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: adding cryotherapy to treatment gave significant improvement.

Publications were found in PubMed; titles and journals are given verbatim, conclusions are a brief summary of the abstracts under the conditions of the specific studies. The level shows the volume of published data, not the value of the method: A — Plenty of data: consistent systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs; B — Some data: reviews or several RCTs, results are heterogeneous; C — Little data: single RCTs or controlled studies; D — Scarce data: mainly reviews, observational and experimental studies. The passport is updated as new work is published and with regard to international practice.