Comparing common emergency cooling methods for heat-related overheating
The Effectiveness of Emergency Room Protocols for Treating Hyperthermia
This research will test several cooling methods to see which one cools healthy adults fastest and safest when they develop hyperthermia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Colorado Springs, Colorado) |
| Trial ID | NCT07433036 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants will complete a brief screening session followed by five experimental visits during which three commonly used emergency-department cooling protocols (cooling packs, ice‑soaked sheets with fan, and an ice-filled body bag) are compared against passive cooling in an air‑conditioned room and cold water immersion. Each experimental session lasts about three hours and includes controlled heat exposure followed by the assigned cooling intervention while staff monitor temperature and safety. The study enrolls active, healthy adults without medical conditions or medications that affect thermoregulation, and excludes pregnant people and those with pacemakers. Outcomes include rate and magnitude of cooling and tolerability of each method.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are healthy, active adults who are not pregnant, do not use tobacco, do not have pacemakers, and are not taking medications or supplements that affect body temperature regulation.
Not a fit: People who are pregnant, use tobacco, have pacemakers, take medications or supplements that alter thermoregulation, or have ongoing musculoskeletal pain are excluded and are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help emergency departments choose the fastest and safest cooling method to reduce complications from heat-related hyperthermia.
How similar studies have performed: Cold water immersion already has strong evidence for rapid cooling in exertional hyperthermia, while direct comparative data on ice sheets and body‑bag cooling in emergency settings are more limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Active, healthy individuals Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant * Have a pacemaker * Currently taking any prescribed or over the counter medications or nutritional supplements known to influence thermoregulatory responses * Experience lingering pain from a previous musculoskeletal injury (i.e. knee, hip, or back pain) * Use tobacco/nicotine products
Where this trial is running
Colorado Springs, Colorado
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Nathan Morris, PhD
- Email: nmorris6@uccs.edu
- Phone: 719-255-4466
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.