NCT03264508

Passive Heat Therapy and Age-associated Physiological Function

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 25 (actual)
• Sponsor: Douglas Seals · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 55 Years – 79 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to determine the effects of 8-10 weeks of repeated hot water immersion ("heat therapy") vs. thermoneutral water immersion on vascular function in late middle-aged to older (55-79 years) adults.

Detailed description

Advancing age is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which remain the leading cause of death in the developed world. The key process that links aging to increased risk of CVD is the development of arterial dysfunction, including impaired endothelial function and arterial stiffening. In addition, age-associated impairments in arterial function have been linked to other diseases/disorders of aging, including cognitive impairments, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, and motor disorders/disability. Passive heat therapy, in the form of repeated use of hot baths and saunas, has been used by several cultures for centuries; however, the physiological benefits are only now being elucidated. For example, recent studies have found that lifelong habitual sauna use is associated with considerably reduced risk of all-cause mortality, sudden cardiac death, CVD-related death, and Alzheimer's disease and dementia. In addition, 8-10 weeks of hot water immersion in young adults has been shown to improve endothelial function and reduces arterial stiffness and blood pressure. Therefore, the investigators expect heat therapy to similarly improve vascular function, as well as cognitive and motor function, in middle-aged to older adults who are at greater risk of CVD and related diseases/disorders.

Conditions

• Aging

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Heat therapy	30 sessions (3-4x per week for 8-10 weeks) of hot water immersion in 40°C water, sufficient to raise body core temperature to 38.5°C.
BEHAVIORAL	Thermoneutral water immersion	30 sessions (3-4x per week for 8-10 weeks) of hot water immersion in 36°C water to prevent changes in body core temperature \>0.2°C.

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-10-25
• Primary completion: 2020-11-23
• Completion: 2021-06-01
• First posted: 2017-08-29
• Last updated: 2021-10-28

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States