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Background: Ice massage is one of the common hydrotherapeutic procedures. The current study is first of its kind, conducted to evaluate the effect of ice massage to head and spine on blood pressure and heart rate variability in patients with hypertension. Materials and Methods: Fifteen hypertensive subjects with the mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 48.87 ± 11.17 yrs were recruited and underwent only one session of ice massage to head and spine for 20 min. Blood pressure and heart rate variability were assessed before and immediately after the intervention. Results: Results of this study showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (p =

Current interventions of dysphagia are not generalizable, and treatments are commonly used in combination. We conducted a questionnaire survey on nurses and speech therapists regarding dysphagia rehabilitation to understand the current situation in Japan.The questionnaire was sent to 616 certified nurses in dysphasia nursing and 254 certified speech-language-hearing therapists for dysphagia. Based on "Summaries of training methods in 2014" by JSDR, 24 local indirect exercises, 11 general indirect exercises, and 13 direct exercises were selected. The Likert scale "How do you feel about each method" was used as follows: A; Frequency, B; Ease, C; Adherence, D; Effectiveness (1-5))?".Two hundred fifty (40%) nurses and 145 (57%) speech-language-hearing therapists (ST) responded to the questionnaire. The direct exercise was associated with a significantly high score in every question. In indirect exercises, "Cervical range of motion exercise," "Orofacial myofunctional exercise," "Lip closure exercise." "Ice massage of pharynx" and "Huffing" were used relatively frequently. "Balloon dilatation therapy" and "Tube exercise" was associated with a relatively high discrepancy for two questions. Frequency" and the sum of "Ease," "Adherence," and "Effectiveness." was significantly correlated for local indirect exercises (r2 = 0.928, P0.01), general indirect exercises (r2 = 0.987, P0.01), and direct exercises (r2 = 0.996, P0.01) (Fig. 5).This study examined the current situation of dysphagia rehabilitation in Japan. Our results aid to increase understanding and selection of rehabilitative treatments for dysphagia patients in Japan.

Background and purpose Pain is considered as one of the most common problems among patients undergoing open heart surgery. We aimed to evaluate the effects of Hegu point ice massage on the level of pain experienced after coronary artery bypass grafting Materials and Methods This is a single–blind, randomized, clinical trial, conducted on 80 patients who were recruited via convenience sampling method. The sample was randomly divided into two groups. In the experimental group, ice massage was performed at the Hegu point on the left hand by applying a medium pressure for 10 min (2 min massage, 15 s rest) in postoperative day 1 and 2. In the control group, glass marbles were applied at the Hegu point on the left hand with no pressure and massage for 10 min. Pain intensity was measured in both groups before the intervention and at 30, 60, and 120 min following the intervention. Results Following the intervention on the postoperative day 1, the mean pain score for the experimental and control groups was 2.97 ± 1.40 and 3.64 ± 1.56, respectively. For the experimental and control groups on postoperative day 2, the mean pain score was 2.35 ± 1.12 versus 3.03 ± 1.40, respectively. Following the intervention on postoperative day 1, the mean pain score was 2.97 ± 1.40 and 3.64 ± 1.56 in the experimental and control groups, respectively. The mean pain score for the experimental group was 2.35 ± 1.12 compared with 3.03 ± 1.40 for the control group after the intervention on the second postoperative day. Statistically significant differences were revealed for the mean pain score between the two groups after the intervention on the first (p = 0.04) and second (p = 0.02) postoperative days. Conclusion Hegu point ice massage is an effective method for relieving pain associated with coronary artery bypass grafting in specific patients.

The objective of this study was to illustrate the case of a community college intercollegiate soccer player who sustained a grade 3 ACL injury and underwent surgical repair at 4 months. The patient engaged in her regular daily activity prior to the surgical procedure. One week prior to surgery the patient produced 140° of active knee flexion and -1° of active knee extension, and scored 69.0 on the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation (SKE). One day post-ACL reconstruction by semitendinosus autograft, the patient’s range of motion was 40° of flexion and 20° of extension and reported a score of 21.8 on the SKE. The patient began rehabilitation immediately following surgery with the goal to increase ROM of the involved limb. A Total Motion Release rehabilitation protocol was implemented in lieu of a traditional ACL reconstruction rehabilitation protocol. Three sessions were completed each week over a four-week period, for a total of 12 sessions. Rehabilitation sessions consisted of 15 minutes of ice massage of the quadriceps with simultaneous quadriceps contraction/relaxation immediately followed by TMR. The patient ended each session with progressive exercise: 5 minutes of half rotations on the bike on day one, progressing to a 20 minute light jog on the treadmill by week four. Patient was re-assessed by the orthopedic surgeon at a one and six month post-op follow-up appointments. Changes in flexion and extension ROM and an SKE was assessed weekly prior to treatment to evaluate knee function. After four weeks, normal knee range of motion was restored demonstrating the effectiveness of Total Motion Release®.

PubMedID: 30057052 Purpose: This study was designed as an experimental controlled study, aiming to identify the effect of ice massage with short duration (40 min) and long duration (80 min) applied on Large Intestinal 4 (LI4) acupressure point on labor process and perception of labor pain. Methods: The participants, who met the research criteria according to the results of power analysis, were 72 healthy pregnant women divided into experiment and control group. Results: Results show that ice massage applied on the LI4 region was effective in the 80th minute. Moreover, in terms of the effect of ice massage on labor duration, the application was found to reduce the labor duration of the women in the experimental group approximately 1 h on average. Conclusion: It was found that the ice massage applied by midwives on the LI4 point during the active phase of delivery could reduce pain and shorten the delivery duration. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management Unit This study is supported with ASYO2013YL1 numbered project by University Scientific Research Projects . Data acquired with the study was sent to the 20th World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility (COGI), December 4–7, 2014 in Paris as a poster presentation.

Pain is an unpleasant feeling and it is called as the fifth vital sign. Fistula cannulation in hemodialysis patients is a very stressful and painful process. Nurses can help to relieve pain with the use of non-pharmacological pain management therapies, independently. This study was conducted aimed to compare and determine the effects of Valsalva maneuver and ice massage at Hoku point on pain intensity during cannulation of arteriovenous fistula in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study was conducted on 70 hemodialysis patients who were selected by convenience sampling in two Amin Medical Center and Hazrat-e Zahra-e Marziye Hospital in Isfahan and were placed in two groups of Valsalva maneuver and ice massage. Data collecting was performed using an interview questionnaire developed by the researcher, Abbey pain scale and numerical pain rating. Data analysis was done using the descriptive and analytic tests in SPSS software version 20. Mann-Whitney results showed that there was no significant difference in objective pain rate between two groups after intervention (P=0.73). Also this test showed that after intervention, objective pain rate in Valsalva maneuver group is significantly less than ice massage group (p=0.04). Valsalva maneuver method compared to ice massage method reduces the objective pain due to cannulation of arteriovenous fistula in patients undergoing hemodialysis, more efficiently.

It has been assumed that cryotherapy treatments improve athletic recovery and prevent the negative effects of strain caused by training. Body response to low temperatures is reflected in many changes in the hormonal, blood, nervous and immune systems, which may significantly influence tissue regeneration mechanisms. The use of ice or other forms of local cooling is a popular method for the treatment of sports-related injuries. This method is widely used by athletes and allows for fast return to sports activities shortly after injury. The purpose of this paper was to compare the literature reports on three different cryotherapy treatments (ice massage, whole-body cryotherapy, and cold water immersion) and to demonstrate the efficacy of these methods in the athletic recovery.

In brief: Heel pain is the most common symptom of plantar fasciitis. It is most noticeable while taking the first few steps in the morning and usually occurs with each step while running, although some people have pain only after running. Treatment options include stretching, ice massage, taping, high-voltage galvanic stimulation and phonophoresis, anti-inflammatory medication, and orthoses. If symptoms are resistant to conservative treatment, surgery may be required.

The purpose of this study was to determine the aim of this research the difference between proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching and ice massage in preventing the occurrence of delayset onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This research is an experimental study with post test two group desaign and using simple random sampling technique. The sample of the study were 20 male students selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, which were then divided into two groups. Group 1 was given treatment of pnf stretching and group 2 was given ice massage treatment. DOMS pain was measured using visual analogue scale (VAS) at 48 h after treatment. Hypothesis test of this research using Mann-Whitney U-test, where got result p = 0,027 (p

Introduction/Background In Japan, ice massage is widely used as the prefeeding technique to facilitate dry swallowing. However, there was no device for ice massage, and it was handmade by nurse and therapist. We have developed Ice Stick® and evaluated the effect of ice massage using Ice Stick®. Material and method The subjects were 30 dysphagia patients. Subjects were randomly divided into a group that performs ice massage with a conventional syringe (conventional group) and a group using a newly developed ice stick® (Ice Stick® group), indirect swallowing training was conducted, repeated saliva swallowing for 30 seconds [Repetitive Saliva Swallwong Test (RSST)] before and after training. The number of RSSTs was compared in both groups and tested by Wilcoxon's signed rank test. Results The median RSST before and after ice massage increased from 3 to 4 in the conventional group and a significant difference was observed at r = 0.038. In the Ice Stick® group, it was 2.5 to 3 times, and a significant difference was observed at r = 0.041. There was no difference in the increase in both groups. Conclusion Both the conventional type and the Ice Stick® increased the number of RSSTs after training, so ice massage is considered to be effective against dysphagia. The Ice stick® reduces the work burden of creating staff's ice massage device, which is considered to be effective in reducing the risk of infection because it is individual packaging.

Background: Labor pain is the worst pain experience during women's life. The management of labor pain is amongst the leading goals of maternity care. Unrelieved labor pain may adversely affect both mother and the neonate. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Hoku point ice massage on pain intensity in primiparous women during labor.Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 primiparous women who were expected to have normal childbirth in Hajar Hospital of Shahrekord. All participants were randomly assigned in two groups (n = 30): ice massage (treatment) and sand bag group (control). The severity of the basal pain was measured at the beginning of active phase (4 cm cervical dilation) based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Then, after two groups received intervention, the severity of the labor pain in 4, 6, 8 and 10 cm cervical dilation was measured. In the case group, the crushed ice twisted in a terry bag was rocked on the web of skin between thumb and forefinger. The massage was carried out in Hoku point throughout three contractions. The sand bag tactile massage in Hoku point was served in the control group. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive analysis using Mann- Whitney, x2, paired and independent t tests and P

Cold water immersion (CWI) and ice massage (IM) are commonly used treatments to prevent the delay onset of muscle soreness (DOMS); however, little is known on their relative benefits and effectiveness to lower tissue temperature. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of IM and CMI on tissue temperature and potential benefit to preventing DOMS. The research encompassed 36 subjects divided into three groups of twelve depending on the form of recovery: ice massage (IM), cold-water immersion (CWI), or passive recovery (PAS). All the participants were asked to jump as high as possible from a full squat for one minute. Thermal imaging was conducted at rest, immediately following the exercise, immediately after the trial, following the recovery treatment, and after 30min of rest. Their pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). After applying the selected method for supporting recovery, the LA level decreased by 4.25mmol/L in the IM group, and by 4.96mmol/L in the CWI group (IM vs. CWI p0.05). The 2.75mmol/L decrease in lactate concentration in the PAS group was significantly lower than in the other groups (IM vs. PAS p0.05/ CWI vs. PAS p0.01). In both groups, Tsk after 30min was significantly lower (ΔTsk~0.5°C) than at rest (p0.05). In turn, Tsk in the PAS group returned to the resting values (p0.05). Seventy-two hours after the exercise, a clear decrease in discomfort was observed in the IM and CWI groups compared to the PAS group. The two applied treatments have proven to be effective both in utilizing lactate and preventing DOMS. Depending on training requirements, we recommend the use of IM when athletes experience localized muscle fatigue. One the other hand, CWI is recommended in situations of global or generalized muscle injury or fatigue.

Context:The effect of ice massage on muscle-strength performance is equivocal.Objective:To determine the effects of ice massage on maximum isokinetic torque produced during a 20-minute interval.Design:Participants performed a maximal isokinetic contraction of the right arm at 30°/s every 2 minutes for 20 minutes, once after a 10-minute ice massage over the right biceps brachii muscle belly and once without ice treatment. Sessions were randomized.Participants:11 college men.Measurements:Torque was measured with a Cybex® II dynamometer. Biceps skinfold was measured with a Harpenden caliper.Results:A repeated-measures ANCOVA revealed no significant interaction between time and treatment condition when the effect of skinfold thickness was held constant. A main effect for time indicated that torque production was significantly higher at 4 and 8 minutes and declined thereafter.Conclusions:A 10-minute ice massage neither enhanced nor retarded muscle-force output and thus may be used for its pain-reducing effect to allow resistance exercise during the rehabilitation process

Saritas, Nazmi/0000-0003-3402-6498 WOS: 000353091700014 The present study is aimed at comparing the effects of ice massage versus cold-water immersion on creatinekinase (CK) levels and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) values of elite wiestlers."To achieve the objectives of the research twenty elite wrestlers participated in the study. Participants were separated into two groups (ice massage vs. cold water immersion) of whose weights were equal. Between the sets, experiment group was applied ice message for 8 minutes while control group was given cold-water immersion. Blood samples of the subjects were taken before and after the exercises. Groups' differences were determined with "Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance". Significant differences were observed within both groups at all times (0.05). Including competition and training for athletes, ice massage as a recovery strategy is expected to shorten the recovery time in athletes.

INTRODUCTION We sought to determine the rate of cooling via a novel water ice therapy (WIT) as an alternative to cold-water immersion for the acute treatment of exertional heat stroke (EHS). METHODS Observations were made at the 2004-2008 Marine Corps Marathons (mean +/- SD: 16.3 +/- 4.9 degrees C dry bulb, 32 +/- 6% RH). Nine (seven men, two women) EHS patients (33 +/- 6 yr of age; 268 +/- 54 min average race time for six who finished) were observed during on-site treatment. Patients were treated while lying supine on a porous stretcher resting on a tub filled with cold water (approximately 10-12 degrees C). Medical personnel monitored T(re), doused the patient with water and massaged major muscle groups with ice bags until T(re) decreased to 38.9 degrees C. Patients were not immersed in water. Serial T(re) and time were used to calculate cooling rates. RESULTS Final T(re) (39.12 +/- 0.63 degrees C) was significantly lower than initial T(re) (41.43 +/- 0.71 degrees C, P < 0.05). Cooling rates were 0.13 +/- 0.04 degrees C min(-1). The decrease in T(re) for the initial 6 min of WIT (0.38 +/- 0.13 degrees C) was significantly less than for the subsequent 6-min time period (1.31 +/- 0.34 degrees C, P < 0.001). Cooling rates for these time periods were significantly different (0.06 +/- 0.02 degrees C x min(-1) and 0.22 +/- 0.06 degrees C x min(-1), respectively, P < 0.05). Initial T(re) was not correlated with overall cooling rate (r = 0.434, P = 0.244), or total cooling time required (17 +/- 4 min; r = 0.207, P = 0.593). Survival rate was 100%. CONCLUSION WIT provided cooling rates that were 70% as effective as those published for cold-water immersion with 8 degrees C water (0.19 degrees C x min(-1)) and resulted in 100% patient survival.

Cryotherapy is often used to affect the muscle underlying skin and subcutaneous tissues. However, the relationship between the penetrative ability of various cryotherapy methods and treatment time is not thoroughly understood. The purpose of this study was to measure muscle temperature responses during two frequently used cryotherapy techniques. A 23-gauge hypodermic needle microprobe was inserted to one-half skin-fold thickness plus 1 cm into the medial aspect of the gastrocnemius muscle of 14 subjects. Two groups of seven subjects each were measured for temperature changes during ice bag or ice massage treatment. Each treatment consisted of a 15-minute application of the selected method. A significant difference between the two methods was observed (t = -2,157, por = 0.05). Ice massage achieved its lowest temperature in an average of 17.9 +/- 2.4 minutes, while ice bag reached its lowest temperature in 28.2 +/- 12.5 minutes. Ice massage appears to cool muscle more rapidly than ice bag.

Background: The uterus continues to contract after childbirth. The pain caused by the contractions of the uterus can be as severe as labor pain. The study was aimed to evaluate the effects of ice massage applied to the large intestine 4 (LI4) on postpartum pain during the active phase of labor. Materials and Methods: The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial with three groups and carried out in two stages. The study sample comprised of 150 pregnant women, who were referred to a maternity hospital. In the experimental group, ice massage was applied to LI4 during four contractions within the active phase of labor. In the placebo group, pressure was applied to LI4 using silicone balloons and the third group was the control group. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and The McGill (Melzack) Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) were compared among the experimental, placebo, and control groups. Results: The mothers in the ice application group had the lowest mean VAS score. It was determined that ice massage applied to LI4 during the active phase of labor did not lead to any statistical differences in mothers in the first 24 hours postpartum in terms of the characteristics of the pain with MPQ and VAS. Conclusions: In the study, the perception of pain was tried to be minimized by applying pressure with ice balloons to LI4. However, although the application was determined to have made no difference in the pain intensity, the mothers’ statements in the ice application group suggested that they felt more comfortable than did the mothers in the other groups.

Background: Cryotherapy, in the form of ice massge is used to reduce inflammation after acute musculoskeletal injury or trauma. The potential negative effects of ice massage on proprioception are unknown, despite equivocal evidence supporting its effectiveness Objectives: The purpose of the study was to test the influence of cooling on weight discrimination ability and hence the performance in footballers. Patients and Methods: The study was of same subject experimental design (pretest-posttest design). Thirty male collegiate football players, whose mean age was 21.07 years, participated in the study. The participants were assessed for two functional performance tests, single leg hop test and crossed over hop test and weight discrimination ability before and after ice massage for 5 minutes on hamstrings muscle tendon. Results: Pre cooling scores of Single Leg Hop Test of the dominant leg in the subjects was 166.65 (± 10.16) cm and post cooling scores of the dominant leg was 167.25 (± 11.77) cm. Pre cooling scores of Crossed Over Hop Test of the dominant leg in the subjects was 174.14 (± 8.60) cm and post cooling scores of the dominant leg was 174.45 (± 9.28) cm. Pre cooling scores of Weight Discrimination Differential Threshold of the dominant leg in the subjects was 1.625 ± 1.179 kg compared with post cooling scores of the dominant leg 1.85 (± 1.91) kg. Pre cooling scores of single leg hop and crossed over hop test of the dominant leg in the subjects compared with post cooling scores of the dominant leg showed no significant differences and it was also noted that the weight discrimination ability (weight discrimination differential threshold) didn’t show any significant difference. All the values are reported as mean ± SD. Conclusions: This study provides additional evidence that proprioceptive acuity in the hamstring muscles (biceps femoris) remains largely unaffected after ice application to the hamstrings tendon (biceps femoris).

In brief Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used to treat Achilles tendinitis after conservative measures such as anti-inflammatory medications, rest, ice massage, and immobilization have failed. Some research suggests that corticosteroid injections can lead to tendon rupture, though other investigations have not shown a correlation. A case report detailing partial Achilles tendon rupture after corticosteroid injection renews concern about the risks of this treatment.

Hoku is located on the medial midpoint of the first metacarpal, within 3 - 4 mm of the web of skin between the thumb and forefinger. The study evaluated the effectiveness of the use of ice massage on the energy meridian point, large intestine 4 (Hoku), during contractions to reduce the woman’s perception of labor pain. This one-group, pretest-post test design was instituted among 30 primigravid Cebuano women. The study utilized a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to numerically measure pain levels before and after using ice massage on the left and right hand. Pain response difference being evaluated consisted of four elements: pain before and after ice massage of left hand and pain before and after ice massage of right hand. Results indicated significant pain reduction with a mean difference of 18.93 mm on the left hand and 20.87 cm on the right hand. Hoku Cryokinetics on the left Hoku point highly yield the same analgesic effect with that of the right Hoku point. The study concludes that ice massage on either hand is a cost-efficient, safe, non-invasive, non-pharmacologic and effective method in reducing labor pain. Keywords - Hoku cryokinetics, active phase of labor, reduction of pain, Cebuano Women

In Japan, ice massage is widely used as the prefeeding technique to facilitate dry swallowing, to improve swallowing apraxia for initiating the swallowing action, and in daily swallowing training. In a crossover study, we evaluated the usefulness of ice massage for eliciting the swallowing response. The subjects were 24 dysphagic patients with stroke and cerebrovascular disease. We measured the latency between the command of dry swallowing and the triggering of the swallow reflex by videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing, with and without ice massage. When a subject could not swallow all the 4 trials we recorded whether he or she could swallow or not. And we counted how many times he or she could swallow with and without ice massage. Our results suggest that ice massage significantly shortened the latency to triggering of the swallow reflex and often initiated swallowing even in those subjects who could not swallow without the massage. These results demonstrate that ice massage has an immediate effect on triggering of the swallow reflex. The effect of ice massage was especially remarkable in the 15 subjects who had supranuclear lesions compared with the subjects with nuclear lesions. Thus, ice massage could activate the damaged supranuclear tract and/or the normal nucleus and subnuclear tract for swallowing. Ice massage has proven useful in many clinical dysphagia training sessions.

In brief Chronic pain at the acromioclavicular (AC) joint can suggest several diagnoses. When evaluating a patient's pain and range-of-motion deficits, remember that an AC joint can be the sole source of discomfort. The physical exam can help rule out impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tear, scapular winging, and systemic disorders; radiographs can help exclude other pathologies. Most patients respond to conservative treatment: anti-inflammatory medications, ice massage, and activity modification. However, pain that persists 6 months or longer may warrant surgery.

In brief Shin splints, or more precisely, medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), are painful and troublesome. Despite treatment or activity modification, they often recur. Distinguishing MTSS, the most common running overuse injury, from other overuse injuries can help focus treatment, which starts conservatively. Recommending activity modification, ice massage, NSAIDs, and stretching is a good first step. Patients who don't respond to treatment may need additional diagnostic workup and more restrictive activity guidelines.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ice massage postexercise on pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) over the quadriceps muscle and the electromyography (EMG) root mean square (RMS). Methods Fifteen athletes (female, 8; age, 19 ± 2 years) participated. Subjects were required to visit the laboratory on 2 separate occasions with a 1-week interval between sessions. Participants performed 5 isokinetic concentric dominant knee extension contractions at 60°, 120°, 180°, and 240°/s. After exercise, they were randomly assigned to receive either an ice massage or detuned ultrasound for 15 minutes, 1 on each session. The PPT and RMS during maximal voluntary contraction were measured over the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles at baseline, postexercise, and 5 minutes postintervention. The hypothesis of interest was the intervention × time interaction. Results The analysis of covariance found a significant intervention × time interaction for PPT over the VM (F = 17.3, P P = .03) muscles but not over the RF (F = 1.2, P = .3), indicating an increase in PPT after the ice massage. An intervention × time interaction was found for RMS of the VL (F = 5.8, P = .01) but not of the VM (F = 0.5, P = .5) or RF (F = 0.01, P = .9) muscles, indicating an increase in RMS after the ice massage. A significant positive correlation between PPT and RMS for the VL muscle was identified ( r = 0.6, P = .03). Conclusion Ice massage after isokinetic exercise produced an immediate increase of PPT over the VL and VM and EMG activity over the VL muscle in recreational athletes, suggesting that ice massage may result in a hypoalgesic effect and improvements in EMG activity.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ice massage on an individual's pain tolerance to electrical stimulation (ES). Twenty-one screened volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three groups, group 1 (Ice ES, ES), group 2 (ES, Ice ES), and control group 3 (ES, ES). All groups participated in pre- and post-test assessment on an isokinetic dynamometer to determine maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). A subject's tolerance to pain caused by electrical stimulation to the quadriceps was represented as the maximal involuntary contraction (MIVC) produced on the dynamometer. The peak value of MIVC was divided by the peak value of MVC and represented as a percentage of MVC. Analysis of variance with repeated measures showed a significant increase in the electrically evoked MIVC of those receiving ice massage. These findings suggest that ice massage increases an individual's tolerance to electrical stimulation which could afford the subject greater strength gains.