Water temperature and heart rate variability during cognitive tasks
Official title: Effects of Water Temperature on Heart Rate Variability During Cognitive Testing in Healthy Adult Women: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Run by Arizona State University · NCT07654270 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether different water temperatures affect heart rate variability and cognitive performance in healthy young women during focused mental tasks.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Arizona State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Phoenix, Arizona) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 13, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 15, 2026 |
| Study ends | June 15, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | November 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07654270 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy women aged 18-30 without chronic illness or regular substance use, able to attend two lab visits in Phoenix and adherent to the protocol.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with chronic health conditions, pregnant or lactating women, or those not fluent in English may be less likely to benefit or participate safely.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional study will expose healthy women aged 18-30 to different water temperatures while they perform cognitive tasks to see how HRV responds. HRV will be measured as an indicator of autonomic nervous system balance during cognitive demand under thermal variation. The trial aims to determine if warm water supports parasympathetic activity and if cold water increases sympathetic response during mental workload. Two in-person lab visits in downtown Phoenix will collect physiological and performance data in a controlled setting. The findings could guide non-pharmacologic ways to support stress resilience during cognitive activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings may inform simple, non-drug strategies to maintain cognitive performance and stress resilience using temperature adjustments.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows temperature can influence autonomic regulation and cognitive performance, but few have tested water temperature specifically during cognitive tasks.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy women free of chronic disease (by self-report) * 18-30 years of age Exclusion Criteria: * medication/drug use that has not been consistent for the previous 3 months or will be discontinued during the trial * any acute illness * regular use of cigarettes or marijuana * pregnant or lactating women * not fluent in English * not willing to attend two in-person lab visits in downtown Phoenix and follow study protocol (including abstaining from caffeine in the 12 hours prior to testing) * not currently competing in sports or unusually high-intensity exercise protocols (e.g., high-intensity exercise greater than 30 minutes most days of the week)
Where it's running
-
Health North ASU Downtown Campus
Phoenix, Arizona, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Carol Johnston — Arizona State University
- Study coordinator: Carol Johnston
- Email: carol.johnston@asu.edu
- Phone: 6024963463
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.