Cooling the head and neck to assess its effects on boxers after a match
Selective Head-and-neck Cooling on Biomarker Levels and Symptom Rating Following a Boxing Bout- Protocol for an Exploratory Randomized Trial
This study tests if cooling the head and neck can help elite boxers feel better and reduce symptoms after a match by looking at their blood and how they rate their feelings.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Region Skane Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lund, Skane) |
| Trial ID | NCT06386484 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of selective head-and-neck cooling on biomarker levels and symptom ratings in elite boxers following a competitive bout. Young, healthy boxers aged 18 and older are recruited and randomly assigned to either receive cooling treatment or standard post-fight management. Blood samples are collected before and after the bout, as well as at intervals post-fight, to analyze changes in biomarkers. The study aims to understand how cooling may mitigate the effects of repetitive head impacts experienced during boxing.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are elite boxers aged 18 and older who have been cleared for participation by medical staff.
Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 18 or older than 40, or those with a history of neurological disorders or previous traumatic brain injuries, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved management strategies for boxers, potentially reducing the risk of long-term neurological damage.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of selective head-and-neck cooling in boxing is novel, similar cooling interventions have shown promise in other sports-related concussion studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male and female elite boxers ≥18 years old 2. Cleared for participation by the medical staff of the Swedish Boxing Association. 3. Informed consent by each participant prior to the competitive event 4. No boxing fights or match sparring during the initial 6 days after their last boxing fight 5. Signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. \>40 years old or \<18 years old 2. Participation in competitive fights, match-sparring or any training causing additional head impacts during the first six post-fight days after being included in the study. 3. History of autoimmune neurological diseases or a neurodegenerative disorder. 4. History of previous traumatic brain injury resulting in an intracranial haemorrhage.
Where this trial is running
Lund, Skane
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Department of Neurosurgery, Sweden — Lund, Skane, Sweden (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ali Al-Husseini, Medical doctor, phd stud
- Email: ali.al-husseini@med.lu.se
- Phone: +46707267261
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.