NCT07201935

Thermodynamic Exposure and Sleep in Military Cadets

Hot, Cold, and Combined Thermodynamic Exposure to Improve Sleep Quality and Sleep-Time Glymphatic Clearance Among Military Cadets

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 30 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This pilot study investigates the effects of cold-water immersion, traditional sauna use, and their combination on sleep architecture, glymphatic clearance, and psycho-affective health in military cadets. The study uses wearable technologies including the Oura Ring and the Applied Cognition Glymphatic Monitor to collect objective sleep and physiological data.

Detailed description

The study will enroll 45 military cadets from The Citadel Military College, randomized into three groups: Cold-Water Immersion (CWI), High Heat Sauna (HHS), and Combined (COM). Participants will undergo a 7-day baseline period followed by a 14-day intervention. Sleep architecture, glymphatic function, and psycho-affective health will be assessed using validated wearable devices and questionnaires. The study aims to identify intervention-specific improvements in sleep and glymphatic clearance.

Conditions

• Cold-water Immersion
• High Heat Sauna
• Combination of Cold-water Immersion and High Heat Sauna

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Cold Water Immersion	Participants will complete 14 daily sessions of cold-water immersion exposure.
BEHAVIORAL	High Heat Sauna	Participants will complete 14 evening sessions in the high heat sauna

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-04-01
• Primary completion: 2026-10-01
• Completion: 2026-10-01
• First posted: 2025-10-01
• Last updated: 2026-04-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States