Using heat therapy to help treat lingering COVID-19 symptoms
Official title: Heat Therapy for the treatment of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome
Funded at University of Nebraska Omaha · NIH-10980009 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether using heat therapy at home can help older adults with long COVID feel better and improve their energy and thinking skills.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $665,766 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG089307-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980009 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are late middle-age and older adults who have experienced lingering symptoms following a COVID-19 infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 or those with contraindications to heat therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of home-based lower body heat therapy as a potential treatment for individuals suffering from post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), commonly known as long COVID. The study aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of this therapy in improving functional capacity and health markers in late middle-age and older adults. Participants will engage in a regimen of heat therapy to see if it can alleviate symptoms such as cognitive dysfunction and fatigue, which are prevalent in this population. The approach is designed to be accessible and manageable for patients, allowing them to participate from the comfort of their homes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for individuals suffering from long-term COVID-19 symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of heat therapy is a novel approach for treating PASC, similar interventions have shown promise in other chronic conditions, suggesting potential for success.
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
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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.