Heat Therapy and Cardiometabolic Health in Obese Women

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Obesity, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Prehypertension, PreDiabetes, Cardiovascular Risk Factor, Metabolic Syndrome

In brief

Traditional medical treatments are often based on research done exclusively in males, and recent research efforts in the physiology community have highlighted critical sex differences in disease presentation and progression. For example, the relative risk of fatal heart disease is 50% greater in obese, diabetic women as compared to their male counterparts, and women appear to respond differently to lifestyle interventions such as exercise compared with men. Chronic passive heat exposure (hot tub use) provides alternative or supplemental therapeutic potential for improving cardiovascular and metabolic health in obese women. In addition, passive heat exposure may offer specific cellular protection from stresses like a lack of blood flow (ischemia), which is the primary cause of fatal coronary heart disease. This study is investigating the possible cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits of chronic passive heat exposure, and whether regular hot tub use (3-4 days per week for 8-10 weeks) may reduce obese womens' cardiometabolic risk. The investigators are examining cardiovascular health through blood pressure, blood vessel stiffness, sympathetic ('fight or flight') activity, and responsiveness to stresses like increased or decreased blood flow. The investigators are also examining metabolic health through an oral glucose tolerance test and a subcutaneous fat biopsy. The goal of this research is to develop a therapy targeted toward the specific health needs and complications of obese women, in an effort to improve cardiovascular and metabolic health and provide therapeutic alternatives in this high-risk population.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03644524

Run by

University of Oregon

People needed

20

Starts

2015-09-08

Expected to finish

2018-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2018-08-23

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 40. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18-40
• Body mass index (BMI) between 30-45 kg/m2.
• Willing to maintain consistent diet and activity patterns through the study
• Willing to refrain from food, physical activity, supplements, and medications as required before testing days
• Willing to refrain from blood donations over the course of the study

You may not qualify if…

• overt cardiovascular disease or diabetes
• medications that affect blood vessel function (i.e. Spironolactone), insulin sensitivity (Metformin), or blood coagulation (i.e. Warfarin)
• Recent rectal, anal, or vaginal surgery
• pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive within 6 months.

Where it is running

• University of Oregon — Eugene, Oregon, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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