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Major Depressive DisorderHEATBED2NCT05708976

HypErthermia as an Additional Treatment for the Biology and Experience of Depression: Study 2

A study testing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Active Whole-Body Hyperthermia (Active WBH) in people with Major Depressive Disorder and Depression, run by University of California, San Francisco at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This randomized two-arm intervention trial administers 8 weekly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions and 4 bi-weekly active whole-body hyperthermia (active WBH) sessions or 4 bi-weekly sham WBH sessions to adults aged 18 years or older with major depressive disorder (MDD). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Major Depressive Disorder, Depression
What is being tested?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Active Whole-Body Hyperthermia (Active WBH)
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
15 Feb 2023to 30 Sep 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age of at least 18 years old
  • Current major depressive episode of at least 2 weeks duration as assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID) and a Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDIII) score > 21 at screening
  • Able to understand the nature of the study and able to provide written informed consent prior to conduct of any study procedures
  • Must have smartphone onto which the participant can download an app from Apple App or Google Play stores
  • Ability to lie supine (on back) for 2 hours (required for sauna sessions)

Who cannot join

  • >30% reduction in BDI-II score between Screen #1 and Screen #2 (conducted ~1 week after Screen #1)
  • Suicide attempt in the past 12 months defined using the SAMHSA suicidality question during the clinician-administered interview or active suicidal ideation as indexed by a score of 3 on the BDI-II suicidality item during the clinician-administered interview
  • Any of the following medical conditions: cardiovascular disease (other than controlled hypertension), seizure disorder, history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or other serious neurological condition (e.g. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or dementia), current neoplasia, any active enclosed infection (e.g. dental abscess, joint infection), hemophilia or other cause for excessive bleeding (e.g. platelet disorder), or other medical condition that in the opinion of investigators may increase the risk of WBH
  • Comorbid psychiatric conditions or history of comorbid psychiatric conditions that might better explain depressive symptoms, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, Bipolar Disorder I, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Alcohol Dependence, or Drug Dependence
  • Known hypersensitivity to hyperthermia and/or infrared exposure
  • Inability to fit into the sauna device
Show all 14Show fewer
  • Breast implants
  • Pregnancy, active lactation or intention to become pregnant during the study period
  • Use of any medication that might impact thermoregulatory capacity, including: Diuretics, barbiturates, beta-blockers, antipsychotic agents, anti-cholinergic agents or chronic use of antihistamines, aspirin (other than low-dose ASA for prophylactic purposes), medication prescribed for the treatment of depression (antidepressant medication [ADM]) including but not limited to: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors [SNRIs], Monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOIs], Tricyclics [TCAs], and atypical antipsychotic and antidepressant medications (participants must have been free of these medications for at least 4 weeks), antibiotics (past 14 days), pain medication (opioids) due to procedure, e.g., dental procedure (past 14 days), Emergency contraception pill (past 14 days) any other medication that in the judgment of the PI would increase risk of study participation or introduce excessive variance into physiological or behavioral responses to WBH recent use (multiple consecutive doses) of: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), systemic corticosteroids, cytokine antagonists
  • Regular use of any nicotine products, including cigarettes, vapes, chewing tobacco, or other forms of nicotine (if use is not regular, must be willing to refrain for 24 hours before and 24 hours after WBH session)
  • Unwilling to refrain from using marijuana products and alcohol for the 24 hours before and 24 hours after WBH session
  • Unwilling to refrain from heavy exercise on the day of WBH sessions
  • Unwilling to refrain from engaging with sauna, hot yoga, cold plunges, cryotherapy, and hot tub/jacuzzi outside of study (prospective participant must not have engaged with any of these activities for 30 days prior to their baseline study visit).
  • Has begun new psychotherapy treatment in the prior 6 weeks

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site

  • University of California San Francisco

    San Francisco, California, 94115

Other trials in United States

About this study

This randomized two-arm intervention trial administers 8 weekly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions and 4 bi-weekly active whole-body hyperthermia (active WBH) sessions or 4 bi-weekly sham WBH sessions to adults aged 18 years or older with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Read the detailed description

Major Depressive Disorder afflicts more than 300 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of life years lost to disability. Current treatments have important limitations in efficacy and, in the case of medication, substantial side-effects. There is thus a compelling need for additional effective, well-tolerated treatments. One such potential treatment is whole-body hyperthermia (WBH). The investigators hypothesize that active WBH may be particularly effective in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an established treatment for depression. This randomized two-arm trial will pilot and optimize procedures for randomizing participants to receive CBT (8 weekly sessions) and 4 bi-weekly whole-body hyperthermia (active WBH) or 4 bi-weekly sham WBH sessions. This work holds important promise to improve treatment of depression and advance understanding of the role of integrated mind-body therapies for mood disorders.

Being tested
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Active Whole-Body Hyperthermia (Active WBH), Sham Whole-Body Hyperthermia (Sham WBH)
Keywords
hyperthermia, heat therapy, passive heating
Medical subject headings
Depressive Disorder, Major, Depression, Hyperthermia

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Behavioural

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a behavioral (psychotherapeutic) intervention for major depressive disorder (MDD). A highly trained masters' or PhD-level clinician will administer 8 weekly CBT sessions (~50 minutes each), following the standard cognitive behavioral therapy for depression protocol.

  • Active Whole-Body Hyperthermia (Active WBH)Device

    Also called Active Sauna Sessions

    Active whole-body hyperthermia (active WBH) will be administered by trained research assistants. Preparation for the active WBH session, the active WBH session, and cool down will last 3.5 hours, with heating lasting approximately 90-100 minutes (and no longer than 140 minutes). The treatment will take place in an infrared sauna dome, and the active heating phase will last until the participants has achieved a core (rectal) temperature of 38.5 C.

  • Sham Whole-Body Hyperthermia (Sham WBH)Device

    Also called Sham Sauna Sessions

    Sham whole-body hyperthermia (sham WBH) will be administered by trained research assistants. Preparation for the sham WBH session, the sham WBH session, and cool down will last 3.5 hours, with heating lasting approximately 90-100 minutes (and no longer than 140 minutes). The treatment will take place in an infrared sauna dome, and the sham WBH session will minimally impact core body temperature.

Study groups in NCT05708976
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Active Whole-body Hyperthermia (Active Treatment)ExperimentalParticipants receive 8 cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions and 4 bi-weekly whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) sessions that raise core body temperature to 38.5 C. Each active WBH session (including preparation and post-session activities) is up to approximately 3.5 hours, and each CBT session is approximately 50 minutes.
Receives: Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Device: Active Whole-Body Hyperthermia (Active WBH)
Sham Whole-body Hyperthermia (Sham Treatment)Placebo comparatorParticipants receive 8 cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions and 4 bi-weekly sham whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) sessions, which minimally raise body temperature. Each sham WBH session (including preparation and post-session activities) is up to approximately 3.5 hours, and each CBT session is approximately 50 minutes.
Receives: Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Device: Sham Whole-Body Hyperthermia (Sham WBH)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Net Promoter Score, and Enrollment Likelihood

    Study acceptability was indexed by participant-reported net-promoter scores. This is a response to a single question: "How likely would you be to recommend [participation in a study or treatment like this] to a friend or family member with depression?" Net promoter scores range from 0 (would not recommend) to 10 (would definitely recommend). Study acceptability was also indexed by an additional patient-reported metric, Enrollment Likelihood. Enrollment likelihood was a response to the question: "How likely would you be to enroll in this study given your experience in this study?" and response options range from 1 (extremely unlikely) to 5 (extremely likely).

    Measured: 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes (4)

  1. Change in Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)

    Change in BDI-II from baseline assessment to final assessment. Scores range from 0 to 63 and items are summed to create a total score; higher scores indicate greater depression symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks

  2. Change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) 8a Depression

    Change in PROMIS8a Depression from baseline to final assessment. T scores are computed; higher scores indicate greater depression symptoms. A T-score of 60 indicates sub-clinical or elevated levels of depression. A T score of 50 indicates the population mean with a standard deviation of 10.

    Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks

  3. Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 6-item (HAMD-6) Self-Report

    Change in HAMD-6 from baseline to final assessment. Scores range from 0 to 22, and items are summed to create a total score; higher scores indicate greater depression symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks

  4. Change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) 4a Anxiety

    Change in PROMIS4a Anxiety from baseline to final assessment. T scores are computed; higher scores indicate greater depression symptoms. A T-score of 60 indicates sub-clinical or elevated levels of anxiety. A T score of 50 indicates the population mean with a standard deviation of 10.

    Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted1 Feb 2023
  2. Study start15 Feb 2023
  3. Primary completion30 Sep 2024
  4. Study completion30 Sep 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants are randomized to one of two study arms
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
30 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05708976
Sponsor's protocol ID
21-34246
Other IDs
R34AT011221
Acronym
HEATBED2
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
23 Jan 2023
Last updated
27 May 2026
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Mason AE, Fisher SM, Chowdhary A, Guvva E, Veasna D, Floyd E, Fender SB, Raison C. Feasibility and acceptability of a Whole-Body hyperthermia (WBH) protocol. Int J Hyperthermia. 2021;38(1):1529-1535. doi: 10.1080/02656736.2021.1991010.

    PubMed 34674592

  • Janssen CW, Lowry CA, Mehl MR, Allen JJ, Kelly KL, Gartner DE, Medrano A, Begay TK, Rentscher K, White JJ, Fridman A, Roberts LJ, Robbins ML, Hanusch KU, Cole SP, Raison CL. Whole-Body Hyperthermia for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016 Aug 1;73(8):789-95. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.1031.

    PubMed 27172277

  • Hanusch KU, Janssen CH, Billheimer D, Jenkins I, Spurgeon E, Lowry CA, Raison CL. Whole-body hyperthermia for the treatment of major depression: associations with thermoregulatory cooling. Am J Psychiatry. 2013 Jul;170(7):802-4. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12111395. No abstract available.

    PubMed 23820835

  • Mason AE, Hartogensis W, Chowdhary A, Siwik CJ, Pandya LS, Jung E, Lupesko-Persky O, Hartley E, Hopkins L, Roberts S, Borovinsky J, Nelson JC, Lowry CA, Patrick RP, Moran PJ, Raison CL, Hecht FM. A Randomized Trial Testing a Novel Mind and Body Intervention for Depression: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH). Glob Adv Integr Med Health. 2025 Oct 22;14:27536130251387714. doi: 10.1177/27536130251387714. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.

    PubMed 41146956

  • Mason AE, Chowdhary A, Hartogensis W, Siwik CJ, Lupesko-Persky O, Pandya LS, Roberts S, Anglo C, Moran PJ, Nelson JC, Lowry CA, Patrick RP, Raison CL, Hecht FM. Feasibility and acceptability of an integrated mind-body intervention for depression: whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Int J Hyperthermia. 2024;41(1):2351459. doi: 10.1080/02656736.2024.2351459. Epub 2024 May 14.

    PubMed 38743265

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Active Whole-Body Hyperthermia (Active WBH) in people with Major Depressive Disorder and Depression, run by University of California, San Francisco at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 14 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 30 Oct 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Net Promoter Score, and Enrollment Likelihood (time frame: 12 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05708976, which also lists 5 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 May 2026.

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