How indoor humidity affects older adults' bodies during a heat wave

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

Participants will undergo controlled, laboratory-based simulated indoor overheating with varied humidity levels while researchers monitor physiological responses such as core temperature, heart rate, and cardiovascular strain. The protocol enrolls non-smoking older adults who can consent and speak English or French, and includes people with controlled hypertension or type 2 diabetes diagnosed at least five years prior. Individuals with uncontrolled hypertension, serious diabetes complications, recent severe hypoglycemia, or major activity-limiting conditions are excluded. Results aim to clarify how indoor humidity alters thermoregulation and cardiovascular burden in a vulnerable older population.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Non-smoking.
* English or French speaking.
* Ability to provide informed consent.
* with or without a) chronic hypertension (elevated resting blood pressure; as defined by Heart and Stroke Canada and Hypertension Canada), b) type 2 diabetes as defined by Diabetes Canada, with at least 5 years having elapsed since time of diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria:

* Episode(s) of severe hypoglycemia (requiring the assistance of another person) within the previous year, or inability to sense hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia unawareness).
* Serious complications related to diabetes (gastroparesis, renal disease, uncontrolled hypertension, severe autonomic neuropathy).
* Uncontrolled hypertension - BP \>150 mmHg systolic or \>95 mmHg diastolic in a sitting position.
* Restrictions in physical activity due to disease (e.g. intermittent claudication, renal impairment, active proliferative retinopathy, unstable cardiac or pulmonary disease, disabling stroke, severe arthritis, etc.).
* Use of or changes in medication judged by the patient or investigators to make participation in this study inadvisable.
* Cardiac abnormalities identified during screening

Where it's running

• University of Ottawa
  Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Glen P Kenny, PhD
• Email: gkenny@uottawa.ca
• Phone: 6135625800

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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.