NCT04915859

Brief Summary

Heat-related injuries and other physiological stresses continue to be a significant threat to the health and operational effectiveness of the US Armed Forces (Armed Forces Health Surveillance 2011). This is because military personnel are exposed to exertional and environmental heat-stress factors during both deployment and training at US installations in hot and humid climates. Cold water immersion (CWI) is considered the gold standard for the treatment of exertional heat stroke (EHS) and has been shown to increase survival rates to 100% with the implementation of CWI best practices. However, in a field setting other cooling strategies have been developed to aid in the prevention of EHS and other heat-related illnesses. One such proposed strategy is a portable hand cooling device that does not require the use of ice or water. Therefore, the primary purpose of this investigation is to validate hand and back cooling devices using physiological, cognitive, performance, and perceptual responses that occur during and following rest, exercise, and cooling in the heat.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
24

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2021

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 27, 2021

Completed
11 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 7, 2021

Completed
4 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 4, 2021

Completed
4 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 31, 2022

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 31, 2022

Completed
Last Updated

May 31, 2022

Status Verified

May 1, 2022

Enrollment Period

4 months

First QC Date

May 27, 2021

Last Update Submit

May 27, 2022

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (10)

  • Difference in VO2max between Cycle ergometer and treadmill

    Participants will be fitted with a Hans Rudolph mask attached to a breathing tube to measure the expired air delivered to the metabolic cart system during the exercise protocol. The metabolic cart will continuously measure oxygen consumption (VO2) to asess their VO2max value.

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Metabolic Heat Production

    Participants will be tested for 3-5 minutes at different % of their VO2max. It will include 5 stages.

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Change in Rectal Temperature

    Rectal thermometer will be self-inserted by participant to assess core temperature

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Change in Heart Rate

    A heart rate monitor will be worn by participant throughout exercise/cooling protocol

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Change in Mean Skin temperature

    Prior to the start of exercise, participants will be instrumented with iButton skin temperature sensors on the chest, arm, thigh, calf, back of hand, and ankle

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Change in Rating of Perceived Exertion

    6-20 scale that indicates how hard the participant feels they are working. 6 represents rest and 20 represents maximal exertion. A high score indicates more perceived exertion.

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Change in Performance Measures

    Participants will perform a performance battery consisting of a wingate anaerobic power test, grip strength test, and broad jump test

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Change Injury Risk Assessment Measures

    Participants will perform a injury risk assessment battery consisting of a balance and squat form assessments

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Change in Cognitive Measures

    Participants will perform 2 cognitive tests (Go-Nogo and Stroop) on a laptop to measure reaction time and errors. Both tests should take 5 minutes

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Change in Recovery

    Participants will be provided a WHOOP strap and Polar heart rate strap at their first visit. They will be instructed on how to download the associated apps and how to charge and care for the devices. They will be provided instructions with how to take heart rate measures. The WHOOP and heart rate measures will provide data on sleep quality and quantity, strain, and recovery.

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Change in Thermal Sensation

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Change in Perception of Fatigue

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

  • Change in Perception of thirst

    through study completion, an average of 2 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Active Cooling

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will be actively cooled during rest breaks

Other: Hand Cooling at 12-15 degrees celsiusOther: Hand Cooling at 16-20 degrees celsiusOther: hand and back cooling at 12-15 or 16-20 degrees celsius

No Intervention

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants will participate in "passive cooling" where they sit in a chair during rest

Other: Passive cooling

Interventions

hand cooling at 12-15 degrees celsius will be performed for active cooling by having participants place their hands on the cooling device set to this temperature

Active Cooling

hand cooling at 16-20 degrees celsius will be performed for active cooling by having participants place their hands on the cooling device set to this temperature

Active Cooling

hand and back cooling at 12-15 or 16-20 degrees celsius will be performed for active cooling by having participants place their hands on the cooling device set to this temperature while also wearing the back wrap cooling device set to this temperature

Active Cooling

participants will sit in a chair and "passively cool" (no active intervention)

No Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 45 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • male or female between the ages of 18-45 years
  • females only: taking monophasic birth control pill this is to maintain applicability to a large portion of the female population that take birth control and limit the influence of varying estrogen and progesterone levels throughout the menstrual cycle. during the informational session researchers will have this list of brands of monophasic birth control pill brands to determine if the participant is eligible Brevicon Modicon Wera Balziva Gildagia Philith Zenchent Estarylla Previfem Sprintec Ocella Yasmin Zarah Yaz Safyral Beyaz Cryselle Elinest Ogestrel Apri Desogen Juleber Reclipsen Solia Levora Altavera Daysee Lessina Lybrel Amethia Jolessa all trials will only be conducted during the days the participant is on the hormone pill (not on the days during which they are taking the placebo pill)
  • been cleared by the medical monitor for this study
  • VO2max \> 45ml/kg/min (measure obtained only from the VO2max test performed on the treadmill on Visit 1)
  • Aerobically active (at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 4-5 days per week)

You may not qualify if:

  • Have a current musculoskeletal injury that would limit their physical activity or preclude the participant from walking, jogging, running, sprinting, or cutting.
  • Chronic health problems that affect your ability to thermoregulate (disorders affecting the liver, kidneys or the ability to sweat normally)
  • Fever or current illness at the time of testing
  • History of cardiovascular, metabolic, or respiratory disease
  • A family member died for no apparent reason, had a heart attack, died from heart problems, or sudden death before the age of 50
  • Currently taking a medication that is known to influence body temperature (amphetamines, antihypertensives, anticholinergics, acetaminophen, diuretics, NSAIDs, aspirin)
  • Have a history of heat related illness
  • Have any allergies or adverse reactions to the cold (e.g. Cold Uticaria, Raynauds -Phenomenon/Disease, or Cryoglobulinanemia)
  • Have claustrophobia or feelings of discomfort towards sitting in a small, enclosed area
  • Have allergies to medical and/or adhesive tape
  • Have eating disorders
  • History of COVID-19 unless cleared by a physician for exercise at the level exercise required to participate in this study. The physician must be made aware of what is required to participate in this study.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut, 06269, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hyperthermia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Body Temperature ChangesSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsHeat Stress DisordersWounds and Injuries

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Model Details: Participants will receive four cooling treatment on separate study visits 1)hand cooling at 12-15C 2)hand cooling at 16-20C 3)passive cooling 4)back and hand cooling (at 12-15C or 16-20C depending on results of trials 1-3)
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 27, 2021

First Posted

June 7, 2021

Study Start

October 4, 2021

Primary Completion

January 31, 2022

Study Completion

January 31, 2022

Last Updated

May 31, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-05

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations