Study of Heat Therapy and Cold Water Plunge for Adults with and without Depression Ages 18 to 65

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to explore how heat exposure treatments affect adults aged 18 to 65 who are currently experiencing depressive symptoms. The study will compare the effects of a single Whole Body Hyperthermia heat therapy session alone versus the same heat session followed immediately by a cold water plunge. The goal is to understand whether adding cold exposure after heat therapy can improve emotional well-being in people with depression. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive a single heat treatment using the Clearlight Sauna Dome for up to 140 minutes. The other group will receive the same heat session followed immediately by a cold water plunge lasting up to 10 minutes in 55-degree Fahrenheit water. A second group of adults without depression will undergo the same treatments for comparison. During the study, participants will complete assessments of their depressive symptoms at baseline, and then again at 1 week and 2 weeks after treatment. Researchers will use tools such as the Montgomery-sberg Depression Rating Scale to measure changes in mood. Participants will also complete other questionnaires assessing mental well-being, anxiety, disability, and quality of life. The study will monitor participants throughout the study visits and follow-ups to evaluate the treatment effects on depression.

Cold and Heat Investigation to Lower Levels of Depression