Showers and Stress
Recruiting now · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Healthy Volunteers
In brief
The study investigates whether repeated exposure to cold showers can improve the ability to cope with and respond to stress. In particular, it examines both the psychophysiological effects of cold showers and the role of expectations regarding their effectiveness. The research adopts a 2×2 experimental design with approximately 120 healthy adults, randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group, and further divided based on the presence or absence of information emphasizing the potential benefits of the intervention. The experimental group takes warm or lukewarm showers with a final 30-second exposure to cold water at least four times per week, while the control group takes only warm or lukewarm showers. In parallel, some participants receive positive information about the effectiveness of the intervention for stress management, while others receive no specific information. At baseline and at the end of the study, participants complete questionnaires assessing perceived stress, psychological well-being, and quality of life, along with a physiological measure and a cognitive stress task (Stroop test with heart rate monitoring). During the four-week intervention period, participants keep a daily diary recording shower habits and perceived stress levels.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07611422
- Run by
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
- People needed
- 120
- Starts
- 2026-05-10
- Expected to finish
- 2026-10-15
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-05-28
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Participants will be eligible for the study if they meet the following criteria:
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Good general health status, self-reported and/or certified by a medical document (e.g., general medical certificate or sports medical clearance)
- Willingness to participate for the full duration of the study (4 weeks)
- Ability to understand and independently complete questionnaires and study diaries
- Signed informed consent
You may not qualify if…
- Participants will be excluded from the study if they present:
- Uncompensated cardiovascular, neurological, or endocrine conditions considered relevant to stress or cold exposure tolerance
- Medical conditions contraindicating cold exposure (e.g., Raynaud's phenomenon, cold urticaria, etc.)
- Pregnancy
- Use of medications that may interfere with stress responses (e.g., beta-blockers, anxiolytics, systemic corticosteroids)
- Acute or unstable psychiatric disorders
- Inability to comply with the experimental protocol or complete study materials
- Concurrent participation in other studies involving stress or physiological regulation interventions
Where it is running
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore — Milan, Italy (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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