Obesity (Disorder)NCT07158047
Repeated Far Infrared Sauna Bathing in Adults With Obesity
A study testing Heat therapy in people with Obesity (Disorder), run by University of Oregon at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This is a clinical trial to determine if 30 sessions of far infrared sauna bathing can improve cardiovascular and metabolic function in adults with obesity. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 59 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Obesity (Disorder)
- What is being tested?
- Heat therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 7 Mar 2022to 31 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 59 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- BMI between 30-45 kg/m2
Who cannot join
- Diagnosed diabetes
- Greater than stage 2 hypertension
- Coagulopathies
- Allergies to lidocaine
- Medications affecting blood pressure
- Blood clotting, and blood sugars
Show all 15Show fewer
- Smoker
- Pregnant
- Desiring to become pregnant in the near future
- Breastfeeding
- BMI less than 30
- BMI greater than 45 kg/m2
- Exercising > 120 min/week
- Taking medications (other than hormone contraceptives)
- Not willing to stop taking medications (other than hormone contraceptives) for 24 hours before testing days
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon, 97401
Christopher T Minson, PhD, 5413467583, minson@uoregon.edu
John R Halliwill, PhD, 5413467591, halliwil@uoregon.edu
About this study
Official title: Targeting Hypertension and Insulin Resistance With Heat Therapy
This is a clinical trial to determine if 30 sessions of far infrared sauna bathing can improve cardiovascular and metabolic function in adults with obesity.
Read the detailed description
Obesity can increase the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Lifestyle interventions are needed to reduce this risk. Far infrared saunas are one form of heat therapy that may help reduce these risks, however, there is limited research within a population with obesity. It is hypothesized that repeated far infrared sauna bathing will improve cardiovascular and metabolic function in adults with obesity.
- Conditions
- Obesity (Disorder)
- Being tested
- Heat therapy
- Keywords
- heat therapy, insulin resistance, arterial stiffness, blood pressure, obesity, sauna, vascular health, cardiovascular, metabolic function
- Medical subject headings
- Obesity, Hyperthermia, Insulin Resistance
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Heat therapyOther
Also called sauna bathing
30 sessions of far infrared sauna bathing (45-60C) for up to 45 min
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Heat therapy | Experimental | Group will undergo 30 sessions of heat therapy over approximately 10 weeks. Sessions will require participants to sit in a far infrared sauna for up to 45 min for 3 to 4 times per week. Receives: Other: Heat therapy |
| Time control group | No intervention | No participation in sauna bathing. Maintain lifestyle habits for approximately 10 weeks. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Blood pressure change
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressures after 30 sessions of Intervention
Measured: 10 weeks
Blood glucose
Change in plasma glucose levels after Intervention
Measured: 10 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Arterial stiffness reduction
Change in Carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (m/s) after Intervention
Measured: 10 weeks
Serum insulin
Change in serum insulin levels after Intervention
Measured: 10 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Sep 2025
- Study start7 Mar 2022
- Primary completion30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Obesity (Disorder)Studies 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
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Time control versus heat therapy group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Oregon
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Christopher T Minson, PhD, University of Oregon
- Investigators
- Christopher T Minson, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Oregon
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07158047
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 07312020.034
- Other IDs
- 19TPA34890033
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 4 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Masuda A, Koga Y, Hattanmaru M, Minagoe S, Tei C. The effects of repeated thermal therapy for patients with chronic pain. Psychother Psychosom. 2005;74(5):288-94. doi: 10.1159/000086319.
PubMed 16088266Kihara T, Biro S, Imamura M, Yoshifuku S, Takasaki K, Ikeda Y, Otuji Y, Minagoe S, Toyama Y, Tei C. Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002 Mar 6;39(5):754-9. doi: 10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01824-1.
PubMed 11869837Kihara T, Biro S, Ikeda Y, Fukudome T, Shinsato T, Masuda A, Miyata M, Hamasaki S, Otsuji Y, Minagoe S, Akiba S, Tei C. Effects of repeated sauna treatment on ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic heart failure. Circ J. 2004 Dec;68(12):1146-51. doi: 10.1253/circj.68.1146.
PubMed 15564698Fuchs CJ, Betz MW, Petrick HL, Weber J, Senden JM, Hendriks FK, Bels JLM, van Loon LJC, Snijders T. Repeated passive heat treatment increases muscle tissue capillarization, but does not affect postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates in healthy older adults. J Physiol. 2025 Jan;603(1):167-186. doi: 10.1113/JP286986. Epub 2024 Oct 7.
PubMed 39373667Ely BR, Francisco MA, Halliwill JR, Bryan SD, Comrada LN, Larson EA, Brunt VE, Minson CT. Heat therapy reduces sympathetic activity and improves cardiovascular risk profile in women who are obese with polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2019 Nov 1;317(5):R630-R640. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00078.2019. Epub 2019 Sep 4.
PubMed 31483156Ely BR, Clayton ZS, McCurdy CE, Pfeiffer J, Needham KW, Comrada LN, Minson CT. Heat therapy improves glucose tolerance and adipose tissue insulin signaling in polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Jul 1;317(1):E172-E182. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00549.2018. Epub 2019 May 28.
PubMed 31136202Brunt VE, Jeckell AT, Ely BR, Howard MJ, Thijssen DH, Minson CT. Acute hot water immersion is protective against impaired vascular function following forearm ischemia-reperfusion in young healthy humans. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2016 Dec 1;311(6):R1060-R1067. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00301.2016. Epub 2016 Oct 5.
PubMed 27707723Brunt VE, Eymann TM, Francisco MA, Howard MJ, Minson CT. Passive heat therapy improves cutaneous microvascular function in sedentary humans via improved nitric oxide-dependent dilation. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2016 Sep 1;121(3):716-23. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00424.2016. Epub 2016 Jul 14.
PubMed 27418688Behzadi P, Ravanelli N, Gravel H, Barry H, Debray A, Chaseling GK, Jacquemet V, Neagoe PE, Nigam A, Carpentier AC, Sirois MG, Gagnon D. Acute effect of passive heat exposure on markers of cardiometabolic function in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2022 May 1;132(5):1154-1166. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00800.2021. Epub 2022 Mar 24.
PubMed 35323077
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Targeting Hypertension and Insulin Resistance With Heat Therapy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07158047
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 07312020.034
- Conditions
- Obesity (Disorder)
- Keywords
- heat therapy, insulin resistance, arterial stiffness, blood pressure, obesity, sauna, vascular health, cardiovascular
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of OregonUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 7 Mar 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 5 Sep 2025 (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.
This is a clinical trial to determine if 30 sessions of far infrared sauna bathing can improve cardiovascular and metabolic function in adults with obesity.
Detailed description
Obesity can increase the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Lifestyle interventions are needed to reduce this risk. Far infrared saunas are one form of heat therapy that may help reduce these risks, however, there is limited research within a population with obesity. It is hypothesized that repeated far infrared sauna bathing will improve cardiovascular and metabolic function in adults with obesity.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Time control versus heat therapy group
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Heat therapy | Experimental | Other: Heat therapyGroup will undergo 30 sessions of heat therapy over approximately 10 weeks. Sessions will require participants to sit in a far infrared sauna for up to 45 min for 3 to 4 times per week. |
| Time control group | No intervention | –No participation in sauna bathing. Maintain lifestyle habits for approximately 10 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 59 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- BMI between 30-45 kg/m2
Key exclusion criteria (15 listed)
- Diagnosed diabetes
- Greater than stage 2 hypertension
- Coagulopathies
- Allergies to lidocaine
- Medications affecting blood pressure
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Heat therapyAlso: sauna bathing30 sessions of far infrared sauna bathing (45-60C) for up to 45 min | Other | Heat therapy |
Primary outcome
Blood pressure change
Time frame: 10 weeks
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressures after 30 sessions of Intervention
Blood glucose
Time frame: 10 weeks
Change in plasma glucose levels after Intervention
2 secondary outcomes
Arterial stiffness reduction
Time frame: 10 weeks
Serum insulin
Time frame: 10 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Mar 2026.
- Background: PubMed 16088266Masuda A, Koga Y, Hattanmaru M, Minagoe S, Tei C. The effects of repeated thermal therapy for patients with chronic pain. Psychother Psychosom. 2005;74(5):288-94. doi: 10.1159/000086319.
- Background: PubMed 11869837Kihara T, Biro S, Imamura M, Yoshifuku S, Takasaki K, Ikeda Y, Otuji Y, Minagoe S, Toyama Y, Tei C. Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002 Mar 6;39(5):754-9. doi: 10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01824-1.
- Background: PubMed 15564698Kihara T, Biro S, Ikeda Y, Fukudome T, Shinsato T, Masuda A, Miyata M, Hamasaki S, Otsuji Y, Minagoe S, Akiba S, Tei C. Effects of repeated sauna treatment on ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic heart failure. Circ J. 2004 Dec;68(12):1146-51. doi: 10.1253/circj.68.1146.
- Background: PubMed 39373667Fuchs CJ, Betz MW, Petrick HL, Weber J, Senden JM, Hendriks FK, Bels JLM, van Loon LJC, Snijders T. Repeated passive heat treatment increases muscle tissue capillarization, but does not affect postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates in healthy older adults. J Physiol. 2025 Jan;603(1):167-186. doi: 10.1113/JP286986. Epub 2024 Oct 7.
- Background: PubMed 31483156Ely BR, Francisco MA, Halliwill JR, Bryan SD, Comrada LN, Larson EA, Brunt VE, Minson CT. Heat therapy reduces sympathetic activity and improves cardiovascular risk profile in women who are obese with polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2019 Nov 1;317(5):R630-R640. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00078.2019. Epub 2019 Sep 4.
- Background: PubMed 31136202Ely BR, Clayton ZS, McCurdy CE, Pfeiffer J, Needham KW, Comrada LN, Minson CT. Heat therapy improves glucose tolerance and adipose tissue insulin signaling in polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Jul 1;317(1):E172-E182. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00549.2018. Epub 2019 May 28.
- Background: PubMed 27707723Brunt VE, Jeckell AT, Ely BR, Howard MJ, Thijssen DH, Minson CT. Acute hot water immersion is protective against impaired vascular function following forearm ischemia-reperfusion in young healthy humans. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2016 Dec 1;311(6):R1060-R1067. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00301.2016. Epub 2016 Oct 5.
- Background: PubMed 27418688Brunt VE, Eymann TM, Francisco MA, Howard MJ, Minson CT. Passive heat therapy improves cutaneous microvascular function in sedentary humans via improved nitric oxide-dependent dilation. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2016 Sep 1;121(3):716-23. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00424.2016. Epub 2016 Jul 14.
- Background: PubMed 35323077Behzadi P, Ravanelli N, Gravel H, Barry H, Debray A, Chaseling GK, Jacquemet V, Neagoe PE, Nigam A, Carpentier AC, Sirois MG, Gagnon D. Acute effect of passive heat exposure on markers of cardiometabolic function in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2022 May 1;132(5):1154-1166. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00800.2021. Epub 2022 Mar 24.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Obesity (Disorder)
RecruitingObservational study
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) Prospective Trial for Obesity (EGO-Trial)
Obesity
Active, not recruitingPhase 4
Effects of Sequential Therapy With Mexidol® (Intravenous) and Mexidol® FORTE 250 (Oral) on Functional Brain Activity Assessed by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Biochemical Parameters in Patients With Chronic Cerebral Ischemia: A Comparison of Patients With and Without Metabolic Disorders
Metabolic Abnormalities, Obesity & Overweight
Recruiting
Exercise Training and Vitamin D Metabolism
Obesity & Overweight, Vitamin D
Recruiting
Metabolic Health, Bones and Nuts During Weight Loss in Adults
Weight Loss, Bone Density
Active, not recruiting
Effect of Probiotics on Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight and Obese Pregnancy
Obesity & Overweight, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)
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.
Christopher T Minson, PhD principal investigator
University of Oregon
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Heat therapy in people with Obesity (Disorder), run by University of Oregon 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 1 inclusion and 15 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 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 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. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Christopher T Minson, PhD (541-346-7583, minson@uoregon.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Blood pressure change (time frame: 10 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT07158047, which also lists 9 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 4 Mar 2026.