Can ice packs speed up surgery recovery? new study investigates

NCT ID NCT04564963

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether applying ice packs over surgical incisions every 4 hours for up to 72 hours can improve patients' recovery after chest, abdomen, or groin surgery. 196 adults were randomly assigned to receive cryotherapy plus standard care or standard care alone. The main goal was to see if a larger trial is possible, while also measuring pain and quality of recovery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Cryotherapy (ice packs or gel packs applied over the surgical incision)
What this could lead to: If this works, it could provide a simple, low-cost way to improve recovery and reduce pain after surgery without extra drugs.
What could go wrong: This is a small vanguard trial focused on feasibility, not on proving effectiveness. The results may not show clear benefits, and a larger trial is needed to confirm any findings.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

agnosia Pain, Postoperative

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

POSTOPERATIVE PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

North York General Hospital

North York, Ontario, M2K 1E1, Canada
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
The Ottawa Hospital

Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada

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