Hot water immersion combined with exercise for heart recovery

Hot Water Immersion in Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction (HOT-MI) - a Randomized Controlled Study

Not applicable Interventional Region Örebro County · NCT05725655

This study is testing if combining hot water immersion with exercise can help people recover better after a heart attack.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorRegion Örebro County Academic / other
Locations1 site (Örebro)
Trial IDNCT05725655 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effects of combining exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation with hot water immersion (HWI) in patients who have recently experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). The study aims to determine whether this combination can improve inflammatory and metabolic status, as well as cardiovascular function. It is a single-centre, randomized controlled trial conducted at Örebro University Hospital, focusing on patients diagnosed with ST-elevation or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Participants will engage in standard exercise rehabilitation while also incorporating regular hot water immersion sessions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have recently suffered a myocardial infarction and are willing to participate in both exercise rehabilitation and hot water immersion.

Not a fit: Patients who regularly use hot water immersion or thermotherapy prior to the trial may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance recovery and reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events in patients post-myocardial infarction.

How similar studies have performed: While exercise-based rehabilitation is well-established, the combination with thermotherapy is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested in this context.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria

* Patients with a diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-STEMI
* Concomitant participation in standard care exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation
* Male or female patients ≥ 18 years
* Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Regularly performing hot water immersion, sauna or other types of thermotherapy
* Not willing to perform hot water immersion regularly
* Febrile illness or acute, ongoing infection
* \<18 years of age
* Inability to provide informed consent

Where this trial is running

Örebro

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 Cardiac DiseaseCardiac Rehabilitation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.