A Pilot Study: The Effects of Ice Massage on an Individual's Pain Tolerance Level to Electrical Stimulation

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.