Using heat therapy to help lower blood pressure and improve thinking in older women with hypertension
Official title: Lower Leg Heat Therapy in Older, Hypertensive Women to Improve Blood Pressure and Cognition
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10917114 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using heat therapy at home for 8 weeks can help lower blood pressure and boost brain health in older women with high blood pressure, to see if this natural treatment can improve their overall well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2023 |
| Project end | September 10, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $76,756 |
| NIH project number | 5F32HL167556-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917114 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older women aged 60 and above who have mild hypertension.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not hypertensive or those with severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of heat therapy on blood pressure and cognitive function in older women who have hypertension. Participants will undergo an 8-week program of at-home heat therapy, which aims to improve blood pressure regulation and enhance brain health. The study will measure changes in blood pressure control and cognitive abilities, providing insights into how non-drug treatments can support health in this population. The approach is based on recent findings that suggest heat therapy may benefit vascular health and cognitive function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, non-pharmacological method to help manage blood pressure and improve cognitive function in older women.
How similar studies have gone: While heat therapy has shown promise in improving vascular health, this specific application in older women with hypertension and cognitive concerns is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akins, John David — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Akins, John David
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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.