In 2016, it was estimated that nearly 1 billion people worldwide were affected by a mental or addictive disorder, and were associated with considerable excess mortality. Acute heat therapy sessions (e.g. whole-body heating or foot immersions) have been shown to improve symptoms in individuals diagnosed with common mental health illness such as major depressive disorders and reduce anxiety. This study will assess the impact of an at-home 8-week lower-limb immersion in hot water on symptom severity in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
150
For a minimum of 30 minutes, 3 times a week for 8 consecutive weeks, participants will submerge their lower-limbs into 30-32°C (lukewarm) or 39-40°C (hot) water which will be measured with a supplied waterproof thermometer.
Lakehead University
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGChange in Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 Item
Self-report measure of depression severity
Time frame: Change from baseline at 8 weeks
Change in General Anxiety Disorder - 7 Item
Self-report measure of anxiety severity
Time frame: Change from baseline at 8 weeks
Change in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - 20 Item
Self-report measure that assesses symptoms of PTSD
Time frame: Change from baseline at 8 weeks
Post-water immersion thermal sensation
7-point scale to assess one's thermal state, with -3 defined as "Cold" and 3 defined as "Hot"
Time frame: throughout study completion, 8 weeks in duration
Post-water immersion thermal comfort
6-point scale to assess one's thermal satisfaction, with 1 and 6 defined as "very comfortable" and "very uncomfortable", respectively.
Time frame: throughout study completion, 8 weeks in duration
Post-water immersion thermal preference
5-point scale assessing whether the water temperature would be changed by the participant, with 2 defining 'much cooler' and -2 defining 'much warmer'
Time frame: throughout study completion, 8 weeks in duration
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