NCT05931497

Sauna for Long Covid

A Pilot Study of Whole Body Hyperthermia for Long Covid or Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 21 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Research suggests that Whole Body Hyperthermia in a sauna-like environment can reduce symptoms related to post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or Long Covid. The investigators aim to study the feasibility and treatment effect of this procedure for patients experiencing Long Covid symptoms.

Detailed description

This proposed trial will examine, for the first-time, study whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) as a treatment for PASC. The investigators will enroll 21 people with PASC who will be randomized into two conditions with different temperature WBH. The primary aims will explore acceptability and feasibility, reduction of fatigue (primary symptom), and potential mechanisms (inflammation and sleep). Inflammation and sleep have both been shown to be dysregulated in PASC and addressed by WBH in other populations. The investigators will use week 2 as the primary endpoint. However, patients will be followed for 4 and 6 weeks to monitor the duration of effect.

Conditions

• Long COVID

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	whole body hyperthermia	heat will be applied to the participant through a sauna to increase core body temperature

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-08-01
• Primary completion: 2026-09-30
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2023-07-05
• Last updated: 2025-11-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States