Study on Effects of Indoor Heat on Body and Mind in Adults With Schizophrenia

What this Trial Is About

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects about 24 million people worldwide and is linked to a higher risk of death compared to the general population. Research shows that high temperatures can worsen mental health symptoms and increase heat-related health risks. For people with schizophrenia, heat can worsen symptoms, reduce judgment, and lower the ability to take protective actions like staying hydrated or seeking cooler places. This study aims to gather early data on how indoor overheating affects body temperature, heart function, thinking skills, and mood in adults with schizophrenia. Participants will be randomly assigned to spend 6 hours in one of two indoor environments a room kept at 26C and 45% humidity, which is the upper recommended temperature for older adults, or a hotter room at 36C and 45% humidity, similar to non-air-conditioned homes during heat waves. During the day, participants will sit mostly at rest wearing light clothing but will perform 15 minutes of stepping exercise each hour except lunchtime to simulate typical daily activity. During the exposure, researchers will monitor core body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, mood, cognitive functions like attention and memory, balance, hydration, and physical activity levels. Various questionnaires and scales will be used at the start and end of the 6-hour period to assess mood, exertion, thermal comfort, thirst, and other symptoms. The study is designed to better understand how heat affects people with schizophrenia and to help develop ways to protect their health during extreme heat events.

Heat Stress in Individuals With Schizophrenia