Lower-body heat therapy for long COVID recovery
Official title: Heat Therapy for the treatment of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome
Funded at University of Nebraska Omaha · NIH-11181611 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try home-based lower-body heat therapy to help middle-aged and older adults with long COVID improve daily function and cardiovascular/metabolic health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Omaha NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $628,848 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG089307-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11181611 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (long COVID), especially late middle-aged and older individuals who have ongoing functional limitations, are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without long COVID, those with unstable or serious cardiovascular conditions, or anyone whose symptoms worsen with heat or exertion may not benefit and could be excluded.
What this research studies
If you join, you'll be randomly assigned to one of three groups and asked to use a lower-body heat device at home or follow a comparison plan. The researchers will track safety, how well people stick with the program, and changes in the ability to do everyday activities and physical tests. They will also collect blood and vascular measurements to see if metabolism and heart-related markers improve. The study focuses on late middle-age and older adults who continue to have symptoms after COVID-19.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple at-home therapy to improve function and reduce cardiovascular and metabolic risks for people with long COVID.
How similar studies have gone: Some studies of whole-body heat or sauna therapy have shown cardiovascular and metabolic benefits, but using lower-body, home-based heat specifically for long COVID is largely new and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Omaha
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Layec, Gwenael — University of Nebraska Omaha
- Study coordinator: Layec, Gwenael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
-
COVID-19 healthcare disruptions and heart health inequities in NYC adults with multiple conditions
This project looks at how COVID-19-related gaps in care affected heart health in adults with several chronic conditions in New York City.
-
Modifying body fat to aid COVID-19 recovery through behavioral strategies
A study in veterans explores whether changing weight through lifestyle habits can improve recovery after COVID-19–related health problems.
-
Post-COVID Neuro-Cognitive Changes in Older African Americans
A study explores how COVID-19 affects thinking, memory, and daily life in older African American adults and what might be driving these changes.
-
How COVID school closures affected kids with or at risk for developmental differences
This NIH grant follows children aged 4 to 15 and their families to see how pandemic school closures impacted emotional well-being and parenting over three years.
-
Long-term COVID-19 effects in older Veterans and a rehabilitation approach
This project looks at how COVID-19 affects blood vessel health in older Veterans and tests a rehab strategy together with a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant to help recovery.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.