Repeated Far Infrared Sauna Bathing in Adults With Obesity

Purpose

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.

Condition

  • Obesity (Disorder)

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 59 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • BMI between 30-45 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria

  • Diagnosed diabetes - Greater than stage 2 hypertension - Coagulopathies - Allergies to lidocaine - Medications affecting blood pressure - Blood clotting, and blood sugars - 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

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
Time control versus heat therapy group
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Heat therapy 		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.
  • Other: Heat therapy
    30 sessions of far infrared sauna bathing (45-60C) for up to 45 min
    Other names:
    • sauna bathing
No Intervention
Time control group 		No participation in sauna bathing. Maintain lifestyle habits for approximately 10 weeks.

Recruiting Locations

University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97401
Contact:
Christopher T Minson, PhD
5413467583
minson@uoregon.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Oregon

Study Contact

Christopher T Minson, PhD
541-346-7583
minson@uoregon.edu

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.