Heat and cold therapy for reducing depression symptoms

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of heat exposure followed by a cold water plunge on depressive symptoms in adults. A total of 112 medically healthy participants aged 18-65 with major depressive disorder will be randomized into two groups: one receiving only heat therapy and the other receiving heat therapy followed by a cold plunge. Participants will undergo assessments of their depressive symptoms before treatment and at one and two weeks post-treatment to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals who currently meet study criteria for depression or individuals who do not currently meet criteria for depression
* English or Spanish speaking (able to provide informed consent and complete questionnaires in one of these languages)
* Able and willing to adhere to trial requirements, including attending all trial visits, preparatory and follow-up sessions, and completing all trial evaluations.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous adverse reaction to hypothermia, hyperthermia and/or infrared exposure
* Use of any medication that may impact thermoregulatory capacity.
* Pregnancy, active lactation, or intention to become pregnant during the study period.
* Endorses current active suicidal ideation with a plan or made a suicide attempt in the prior 6 months.

Where it's running

• Vail Health Behavioral Health Innovation Center
  Edwards, Colorado, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Barry Sandler, DO — Vail Health Behavioral Health
• Study coordinator: Study Coordinator
• Email: BHIC@vailhealth.org
• Phone: 970-855-7374

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Neuro-computational look at mood fluctuations in depression and bipolar disorder.

  This tests whether combining brain scans, cognitive tests, and daily smartphone mood tracking can model and help predict mood changes in people with depression or bipolar disorder.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Centre Hospitalier St Anne · Paris, Paris and 1 other locations · NCT07033923

• Testing a new drug for treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing a new drug called HNK to see if it can help people with treatment-resistant depression feel better when other medications haven't worked.

  Recruiting Phase 2 National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · Bethesda, Maryland · NCT06511908

• Investigating the effects of citalopram on brain response to emotions

  This study tests how the antidepressant citalopram affects the brain's response to emotions in healthy people by comparing brain scans after taking the medication or a placebo.

  Recruiting University of Oxford · Oxford, Oxfordshire · NCT06412315

• Using RxWell to Reduce Opioid Use After Knee or Hip Surgery

  This study is testing whether a digital tool called RxWell can help people with mood disorders who are having knee or hip surgery reduce their opioid use and improve their mental health after the operation.

  Recruiting at 3 sites University of Pittsburgh · Monroeville, Pennsylvania and 2 other locations · NCT05658796

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy and exercise training for teenage girls at risk for type 2 diabetes

  This study is testing if cognitive-behavioral therapy, exercise training, or both can help teenage girls at risk for type 2 diabetes improve their health and reduce stress and depression.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Colorado State University · Aurora, Colorado and 1 other locations · NCT05543083

• Evaluation of patients with mood and anxiety disorders and healthy volunteers

  This study is looking for people with mood and anxiety disorders, as well as healthy volunteers, to see if they can help with research that aims to better understand these conditions.

  Recruiting National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · Bethesda, Maryland · NCT00024635

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.