Preliminary Research Shows Simple Icing Technique May Improve Trauma Outcomes

An important caveat, the researchers point out, is that the cooling technique should only be employed once a tourniquet or direct pressure has been applied, since boosting blood pressure during bleeding may exacerbate a patient's blood loss. 

The preliminary study looked at only 10 participants, and they were studied under artificial conditions, specifically a chamber whose effects on blood pressure mimic those of a loss of up to a liter of blood. Researchers then placed bags of ice water or room-temperature water on participants' faces for 15 minutes as their heart function was monitored.

Those participants treated with ice bags had significant improvements in blood pressure. According to HealthDay, "the researchers concluded that cooling the face might help restore heart function and maintain blood pressure after severe blood loss."

There is a need for the technique to be tested in clinical trials to determine whether the effect holds up in larger samples and under more realistic scenarios, however the preliminary research offers a possiblly effective technique to improve trauma patient outcomes.