Actively Recruiting
Comparing the Efficacy of Heated Yoga and Sauna as a Treatment for Depression
Led by Massachusetts General Hospital · Updated on 2025-11-13
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to assess whether heated yoga, sauna sessions, or a mindfulness app can reduce symptoms of depression in adults with at least moderate depressive symptoms. The study plans to enroll 120 adults aged 18 to 65 years with depression and randomly assign them equally to one of three groups: heated yoga, sauna, or mindfulness app. The goal is to compare the effects of these behavioral interventions over a 12-week period. Participants will engage in their assigned intervention for 12 weeks. One group will attend heated yoga classes twice weekly for 90 minutes each. Another group will have infrared sauna sessions twice weekly for 40 minutes each. The third group will use a mindfulness app for 80 minutes per week. After the initial 12 weeks, participants may choose to continue one of the interventions for an additional month, followed by further assessment. Throughout the study, participants will complete assessments at the start, midpoints (weeks 4 and 8), post-intervention (week 12), and follow-ups at weeks 16 and 20. These include questionnaires measuring depression symptoms, mindfulness, rumination, well-being, and patient-reported health. Researchers will monitor changes primarily through the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Participants must be able to travel to study locations and use the mindfulness app on a device. Safety and adherence will be tracked during the study period.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Comparing the Efficacy of Heated Yoga and Sauna as a Treatment for Depression
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged 18 to 65 years
- Ability to provide informed consent
- English language proficiency
- PHQ-9 score greater than 10 indicating moderate or higher depression
- Must have completed waiver for community partners before enrolling
- Individuals of childbearing potential must use acceptable birth control
- Willingness to keep psychiatric medications and therapy stable during study
- Ability to access mindfulness app on a device like smartphone or tablet
- Able to travel to designated yoga and sauna locations
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Active suicidal thoughts or recent positive suicide risk screening
- Active eating or substance use disorders in past 12 months
- Primary obsessive-compulsive disorder or PTSD
- History of bipolar or psychotic disorders
- Significant drop in PHQ-9 score from screening to baseline
- Under influence or withdrawal from substances
- Positive drug screen for illicit drugs or exclusionary medications
- Bone fracture or joint surgery in past 6 months
- Unable to walk freely or with difficulty
- Serious unstable medical condition without physician approval
- No healthcare provider available for medical care
- Recent significant exposure to heated yoga, sauna, or mindfulness app
- Use of medications increasing dehydration risk
- Recent changes in psychiatric medication or therapy
- Psychiatric hospitalization within past year
- Neurological disorders affecting participation or safety
- Currently receiving ketamine, ECT, or TMS treatments
- Unable to follow study procedures or travel to study sites
- Investigator judgment of inability to safely complete study or risk to study integrity
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants receive their assigned intervention: heated yoga classes, sauna sessions, or mindfulness app use over a 12-week period.
Twice weekly visits for heated yoga or sauna groups; weekly app use for mindfulness group
Duration - 8 weeks
Participants are assessed at multiple points including baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and after an optional 1-month choice intervention period.
Assessments at Weeks 16 and 20 after intervention ends
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Maren B Nyer, PhD
Y
Yian Wu, MPH
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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