Acute Passive Heating in Healthy Older Adults

NCT05622747 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UoPAPHHOA
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 23
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Aging is associated with a decline in cardiovascular health, cognitive function and losses in muscle strength, with half or more of those over age 65 suffering from two or more comorbidities (e.g., heart disease, type 2 diabetes). The worldwide population of older adults is growing rapidly, with one in six people expected to be over age 65 by 2050. This will place further financial burden from chronic diseases on already stressed healthcare systems. While studies show that frequent exercise is an effective way for older adults to maintain or improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, older individuals are less physically active and do not adhere well to exercise programs, often due to physical or medical limitations. Therefore, alternative methods for older adults to get the same health benefits as exercise require further exploration. Recent work has shown a single session of passive heat therapy could be an alternative way to improve cardiovascular health and cognitive function in various populations, however, the length of time that these benefits last is yet to be explored.

Conditions

Aging

Keywords

Passive heating; Endothelial function; Heat shock proteins; Cognitive function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation

  Percentage change in brachial artery diameter and return to baseline as assessed by ultrasound.

  Pre hot water immersion, then 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours post

Secondary Outcomes (22)

• Brachial and carotid artery blood flow velocity

  Pre hot water immersion, then 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours post

• Carotid vessel diameter

  Pre hot water immersion, then 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours post

• Carotid intima-media thickness

  Pre hot water immersion, then 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours post

• Carotid compliance

  Pre hot water immersion, then 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours post

• Carotid distensibility

  Pre hot water immersion, then 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours post

Study Arms (1)

Passive heating intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

1 h hot water immersion (to the clavicle, @40°C, rectal temperature \~38.5°C and \<39°C)

Other: Passive heating

Interventions

Passive heating OTHER

1 h hot water immersion (to the clavicle, @40°C, rectal temperature \~38.5°C and \<39°C)

Passive heating intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 55 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Male or female age ≥ 55
• Free from cardiometabolic disease
• Body mass index of 18-35 kg/m2
• Receipt of a normal 12-lead ECG approved by the School Independent Medical Officer
• Capacity to understand and provide their written, informed consent to participate in the study protocol

You may not qualify if:

• Unable to understand or cooperate with the study protocol due to learning difficulties or otherwise
• Any current, or past medical (last five years), history of any cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, haematological, lymphatic, neurological, psychiatric, or any other disease or diseases.
• Any regular medication for the last five years (not including acute courses of treatment of less than one month for discrete, resolved conditions).
• Medications that may influence physiological responses to the passive heating intervention Uncontrolled hypertension (≥ 150 mmHg systolic and/or ≥ 90 mmHg diastolic)
• Body mass index of \> 35 kg/m2
• Recent long-term exposure to a hot climate (within the previous three months)
• Current smoker (or have stopped smoking within the previous three months)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Portsmouth: lead

Study Sites (1)

Spinnaker Building

Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 0SU, United Kingdom

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity, Exercise and Health

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 8, 2022
• First Posted: November 21, 2022
• Study Start: May 23, 2023
• Primary Completion: July 24, 2025
• Study Completion: July 24, 2025
• Last Updated: August 6, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: After data has been collected and analyzed it will be available indefinitely.
• Access Criteria: Available to public at repository website

Locations

GB (1)