For the application of AB, the AB group plaques were immersed during 15 minutes in a 35 or 75 l hydrotherapy whirlpool (TB-T45 model and TB-T90 model respectively, Enraf Nonius Company SA, Spain) filled with a solution of warm water (32 °C) and natural sea salt (250 g/L), following the similar protocol of others authors always ensuring that the plaques not receiving this treatment were kept isolated with flexible and insulating adhesive patches (Nexcare® Factory 3M, Chile).