Effects of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cold-water immersion (CWI) has gained popularity as a health and wellbeing intervention among the general population.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the psychological, cognitive, and physiological effects of CWI in healthy adults.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for randomized trials involving healthy adults aged ≥ 18 years undergoing acute or long-term CWI exposure via cold shower, ice bath, or plunge with water temperature ≤15°C for at least 30 seconds. Outcomes of interest were sleep, stress, fatigue, energy, skin health, immunity, inflammation, mental wellbeing, depression, anxiety, mood, concentration, and alertness or focus. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan software (version 5.4), applying rand

SUBMITTER: Cain T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11778651 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature