Blood PressureREACTNCT06319001
Cardiovascular Reactivity to Physical Stress
A study testing Low-volume high intensity exercise and Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath). in people with Blood Pressure and Stress, Physiological, run by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences at 1 site in Norway.
Trial summary
It is well-accepted that an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to physical stress has a prognostic value, indicating a higher cardiovascular risk (e.g., sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, future hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Blood Pressure, Stress, Physiological
- What is being tested?
- Low-volume high intensity exercise and Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath).
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 45 participants
- Where
- 1 siteNorway
- Study dates
- 19 Feb 2024to 1 Apr 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 to 50 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male or female between 18 to 50 years
- Non-smoker.
- Non-obese (<30 kg/m2).
- Able to walk on a treadmill and cycle on a stationary bike without problems.
- No or little (frequency < 2 times per month) experience swimming with sauna and cold water.
- Proficient in Norwegian and able to provide informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Current or previous regular smoker
- Addictions to alcohol or illegal drugs
- Diagnosed with cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, or autoimmune diseases
- Taking prescription medication with known cardiovascular effects
- Judgment by a medical provider that exercise, heat therapy, or hydrotherapy poses an undue burden or risk.
- Cognitive or psychiatric impairment
- Lack of proficiency in Norwegian language oral or writing skills that will hamper the ability to participate in the interventions and fill out questionnaires.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Norway1 site
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Bergen, Vestland, 5063
About this study
Official title: Cardiovascular Reactivity to Physical Stress: Strategies and Mechanisms
It is well-accepted that an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to physical stress has a prognostic value, indicating a higher cardiovascular risk (e.g., sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, future hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy). However, there is a limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms and therapuetic strategies modulating this response. Therefore, this pilot project aims to explore whether one session of low-volume high-intensity interval training (low-volume HIIT) or combined intermittent heat and cold bath (sauna+cold bath) can decrease BP responses to physical stress. Furthermore, the secondary goal is to investigate whether one brief session learning about positive stress expectations magnifies the decrease in BP following low-volume HIIT and sauna+ cold bath.
- Conditions
- Blood Pressure, Stress, Physiological
- Being tested
- Low-volume high intensity exercise, Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath).
- Keywords
- Cardiovascular reactivity, Neural control of blood pressure, Metaboreflex, Cold pressor response
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Low-volume high intensity exerciseOther
This intervention will consist of 10 x 10-second interval sprints on a stationary bicycle interspersed with 50-second breaks between repetitions. The cycle resistance will be adjusted to the level equaling the highest power output, which will be determined during warm-up sprints.
Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath).Other
This intervention will consist of 3x10 min bouts in the dry sauna interspersed with 2x 60 seconds of cold water immersion up to the neck.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Positive stress education (PSE) | Experimental | This intervention will consist of standardized information about the relationships between expectations and the stress response. Using the CATS as a theoretical framework, the participants will be explained that when people face stressors, i.e., pain, heat, and cold water, the expectations about handling the situation will influence both the experience (e.g., pain) and the physiological stress response. Receives: Other: Low-volume high intensity exercise; Other: Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath). |
| Neutral control | Sham comparator | To control for the PSE intervention, the participants will receive 15 min of neutral information about the effects of physical exercise on cardiovascular fitness. Receives: Other: Low-volume high intensity exercise; Other: Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath). |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Blood pressure (unit: mmHg) response to laboratory stressors
Response will be calculated as the change from baseline to peak. Stressors employed include handgrip exercise, post-exercise ischemia, and cold pressor test.
Measured: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention
Secondary outcomes (3)
Resting blood pressure (mmHg).
Measured: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention
Endothelial function (% dilation)
Endothelial function will be assessed using the flow-mediated dilation technique following current guidelines.
Measured: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention.
Subjective ratings of expectancies (point score).
Stress, pain, heat, and cold response expectancies will be assessed with single questions specifically targeted to the interventions and experimental tests using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ranging from 0 = no stress, no pain, no discomfort (heat, cold) at all to 10 = worst possible pain, stress, heat/cold discomfort.
Measured: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Mar 2024
- Study start19 Feb 2024
- Primary completion1 Apr 2025
- Study completion1 Apr 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Blood PressureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Combined randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ann-Katrin Grotle, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06319001
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2688791
- Acronym
- REACT
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Feb 2024
- Last updated
- 11 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Cardiovascular Reactivity to Physical Stress: Strategies and Mechanisms
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06319001
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REACT / 2688791
- Conditions
- Blood Pressure, Stress, Physiological
- Keywords
- Cardiovascular reactivity, Neural control of blood pressure, Metaboreflex, Cold pressor response
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Western Norway University of Applied SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 19 Feb 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Apr 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Mar 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
It is well-accepted that an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to physical stress has a prognostic value, indicating a higher cardiovascular risk (e.g., sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, future hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy). However, there is a limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms and therapuetic strategies modulating this response. Therefore, this pilot project aims to explore whether one session of low-volume high-intensity interval training (low-volume HIIT) or combined intermittent heat and cold bath (sauna+cold bath) can decrease BP responses to physical stress. Furthermore, the secondary goal is to investigate whether one brief session learning about positive stress expectations magnifies the decrease in BP following low-volume HIIT and sauna+ cold bath.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Combined randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Positive stress education (PSE) | Experimental | Other: Low-volume high intensity exercise, Other: Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath).This intervention will consist of standardized information about the relationships between expectations and the stress response. Using the CATS as a theoretical framework, the participants will be explained that when people face stressors, i.e., pain, heat, and cold water, the expectations about handling the situation will influence both the experience (e.g., pain) and the physiological stress response. |
| Neutral control | Sham comparator | Other: Low-volume high intensity exercise, Other: Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath).To control for the PSE intervention, the participants will receive 15 min of neutral information about the effects of physical exercise on cardiovascular fitness. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Male or female between 18 to 50 years
- Non-smoker.
- Non-obese (<30 kg/m2).
- Able to walk on a treadmill and cycle on a stationary bike without problems.
- No or little (frequency < 2 times per month) experience swimming with sauna and cold water.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Current or previous regular smoker
- Addictions to alcohol or illegal drugs
- Diagnosed with cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, or autoimmune diseases
- Taking prescription medication with known cardiovascular effects
- Judgment by a medical provider that exercise, heat therapy, or hydrotherapy poses an undue burden or risk.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Low-volume high intensity exerciseThis intervention will consist of 10 x 10-second interval sprints on a stationary bicycle interspersed with 50-second breaks between repetitions. The cycle resistance will be adjusted to the level equaling the highest power output, which will be determined during warm-up sprints. | Other | Neutral control, Positive stress education (PSE) |
| Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath).This intervention will consist of 3x10 min bouts in the dry sauna interspersed with 2x 60 seconds of cold water immersion up to the neck. | Other | Neutral control, Positive stress education (PSE) |
Primary outcome
Blood pressure (unit: mmHg) response to laboratory stressors
Time frame: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention
Response will be calculated as the change from baseline to peak. Stressors employed include handgrip exercise, post-exercise ischemia, and cold pressor test.
3 secondary outcomes
Resting blood pressure (mmHg).
Time frame: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention
Endothelial function (% dilation)
Time frame: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention.
Subjective ratings of expectancies (point score).
Time frame: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 Mar 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Low-volume high intensity exercise and Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath). in people with Blood Pressure and Stress, Physiological, run by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences at 1 site in Norway.
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 6 inclusion and 7 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 11 Mar 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 Norway. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Blood pressure (unit: mmHg) response to laboratory stressors (time frame: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 11 Mar 2026.