Actively Recruiting
Home-Based Heat Therapy in Spinal Cord Injury to Improve Cardiovascular Health
Led by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · Updated on 2026-05-05
48
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
275 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
T
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Lead Sponsor
C
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The study is designed to investigate the effects of passive heat therapy on blood vessel health in 40 people (48 enrolled with attrition rate of 20%). Following an extensive set of vascular function tests, participants will engage in either a passive heat therapy intervention for 60 minutes, 4 times a week for 8 weeks, or a placebo intervention at a lower temperature. Seven of the 8 weeks of intervention will occur in the home setting. Vascular function tests will be repeated after the 8 weeks to determine if chronic passive heat stress improved vascular health.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Home-Based Heat Therapy in Spinal Cord Injury to Improve Cardiovascular Health
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Participant understands the study and has signed informed consent
- Male or female aged 18 to 60 years at the time of enrollment
- Female participants must be non-lactating and have a negative pregnancy test throughout the study or be postmenopausal
- Postmenopausal women on stable hormone replacement therapy for at least 6 months are eligible
- Stable spinal cord injury (AIS A or B) lasting longer than 1 year
- Use of medications for SCI-related medical problems is allowed if doses have been stable for 6 months
You will not qualify if you...
- Current smoker
- Daily use of anti-inflammatory medications excluding stable NSAIDs or statins; steroid use is excluded
- Daily use of vasoactive medications such as alpha antagonists/agonists or phosphodiesterase inhibitors
- Presence of current pressure ulcers or skin breakdown
- Active, uncontrolled autoimmune or inflammatory disorders
- History of alcohol or substance use disorder
- History of heat-related illness such as heat stroke
- Any medical or surgical history that may affect study results or increase risk, as judged by the investigator
- Unlikely to comply with study requirements
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Audie L Murphy Veterans Memorial Hospital, South Texas Veterans Health Care System
San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78229
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Michelle Trbovich, MD
CONTACT
D
Dean L Kellogg, Jr, MD, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here