Examining heart responses in burn survivors during exercise

Cardiovascular Responses in Burn Survivors During Exercise

Not applicable Interventional University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · NCT06709781

This study is testing if cooling methods during exercise can help burn survivors manage their heart stress and stay active in hot conditions.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment36 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Dallas, Texas)
Trial IDNCT06709781 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project investigates the effectiveness of cooling methods to reduce high skin and internal body temperatures, as well as cardiac stress, during exercise in burn survivors with significant injuries. The study employs a randomized crossover design, comparing responses between burn survivors and non-burned control subjects while exercising in heated conditions. Participants will experience both a control condition with no cooling and a condition with skin wetting to assess the impact on their cardiovascular health. The goal is to identify strategies that enable burn survivors to engage in physical activity, thereby improving their overall health outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include healthy burn survivors aged 18-65 with burn injuries covering 20% or more of their body surface area.

Not a fit: Patients with underlying medical conditions, significant burn-related injuries requiring hospitalization, or those who are current smokers may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help burn survivors safely participate in physical activities, improving their cardiovascular health and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically targeting cooling modalities in burn survivors, similar studies on heat intolerance and exercise in other populations have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Non-Burned Individuals

* Healthy male and female subjects
* 18-65 years of age.
* Free of any underlying medical conditions

Exclusion Criteria: Non-Burned Individuals

* Any burn-related injuries resulting in at least one night of hospitalization.
* Heart disease or any other chronic medical condition requiring regular medical therapy including cancer, diabetes, and hypertension.
* Abnormalities detected on routine screening
* Individuals who participate in a structured aerobic exercise training program at moderate to high intensities.
* Current smokers, as well as individuals who regularly smoked within the past 3 years.
* Body mass index of greater than 30 kg/m\^2.
* Pregnant individuals

Inclusion Criteria: Burn Survivors

* Healthy male and female subjects
* 18-65 years of age.
* Free of any underlying medical conditions
* Having a burn injury covering 20% or more of the participant's body surface area; at least 50% of those burn injuries must be full thickness that required skin grafting.
* Participants must have been hospitalized due to the burn injury for a minimum of 15 days

Exclusion Criteria: Burn Survivors

* Any burn-related injuries resulting in at least one night of hospitalization.
* Heart disease or any other chronic medical condition requiring regular medical therapy including cancer, diabetes, and hypertension.
* Abnormalities detected on routine screening
* Individuals who participate in a structured aerobic exercise training program at moderate to high intensities.
* Current smokers, as well as individuals who regularly smoked within the past 3 years.
* Body mass index of greater than 30 kg/m\^2.
* Pregnant individuals
* Extensive unhealed injured skin

Where this trial is running

Dallas, Texas

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Burn Injuryskin graftthermoregulationburn survivor3rd degree burn injuryhumancooling
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.