EFFECT OF HAMMAM EXPERIENCE ON GENERAL HEALTH AND PERCEIVED WELL-BEING

NCT06788041 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HAM24
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The main objective of this study is to analyze the effect of a Hammam experience, a massage experience and a placebo in a healthy general population on their general health and perception of well-being, assessed with biophysiological, physical and psychoemotional markers, and its impact on chronic stress. Our hypothesis is that the Hammam experience will produce a more favorable acute (just after the experience) and subacute (24 hours after the experience) response on the study variables than the other interventions with at least a moderate effect size.

Conditions

Chronic Stress; Wellness; General Health

Keywords

hamman; balneotherapy; massage; chronic stress; general health; wellness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Balance of the autonomic nervous system upon waking

  Evaluated through heart rate variability upon waking up. It will always be performed under the same conditions in an unlit, quiet environment without noise/distractions, with the person in supine position and after emptying the bladder. A total time of 5 min will be recorded through H-10 polar band.

  Measurement 1: Upon waking on the session day (6:00-7:00 a.m.); Measurement 2: 30 minutes before session (8:00 a.m.); Measurement 3: 5 minutes after session (10:00 a.m.); Measurement 4: Upon waking the day after session (6:00-7:00 a.m.); Measurement 5: 2

Secondary Outcomes (14)

• Sleep satisfaction

  Measurement 2: 30 minutes before session (8:00 a.m.); Measurement 5: 24 hours post-session (8:00 a.m.).

• Hours of sleep

  Measurement 2: 30 minutes before session (8:00 a.m.); Measurement 5: 24 hours post-session (8:00 a.m.).

• Perception of well-being

  Measurement 2: 30 minutes before session (8:00 a.m.); Measurement 3: 5 minutes after session (10:00 a.m.); Measurement 5: 24 hours post-session (8:00 a.m.).

• Mood

  Measurement 2: 30 minutes before session (8:00 a.m.); Measurement 3: 5 minutes after session (10:00 a.m.); Measurement 5: 24 hours post-session (8:00 a.m.).

• Mental agility

  Measurement 2: 30 minutes before session (8:00 a.m.); Measurement 3: 5 minutes after session (10:00 a.m.); Measurement 5: 24 hours post-session (8:00 a.m.).

Other Outcomes (18)

• Attitude and beliefs towards holistic treatment

  Measurement 0: At enrollment

• Previous experience participating in holistic therapeutic modalities.

  Measurement 0: At enrollment

• Level of perceived stress

  Measurement 0: At enrollment

Study Arms (6)

Arm 1 (ABC)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will rotate through three treatments (Treatment A Hamman experience and massage, Treatment B massage only, and Treatment C placebo) in a randomized sequence. Each treatment will be separated by a washout period to minimize carryover effects. All participants will experience each treatment at different periods, serving as their own control.

Other: Hamman experience; Other: Massage; Other: Placebo Comparator

Arm 2 (ACB)

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Hamman experience; Other: Massage; Other: Placebo Comparator

ARM 3 (BAC)

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Hamman experience; Other: Massage; Other: Placebo Comparator

Arm 4 (BCA)

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Hamman experience; Other: Massage; Other: Placebo Comparator

Arm 5 (CAB)

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Hamman experience; Other: Massage; Other: Placebo Comparator

Arm 6 (CBA)

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Hamman experience; Other: Massage; Other: Placebo Comparator

Interventions

Hamman experience OTHER

There will be a circuit in the Hammam Al Andalus baths with baths in all pools (warm, hot or cold water) and sauna for 30 minutes. The time in each pool will be determined by the sensation and tolerance of each participant. In addition, participants will receive foam with aromatic oils on the participant's body (arms, trunk and legs). This foam will be left for about 10 minutes on the participant's body, while a manual body therapy is performed. The force to be applied will be very weak, a superficial rubbing will be performed to prepare the tissue, followed by a maintained pressure and then sliding pressures are performed. The application time should not exceed 15 minutes.

Also known as: Balneotherapy and massage

ARM 3 (BAC); Arm 1 (ABC); Arm 2 (ACB); Arm 4 (BCA); Arm 5 (CAB); Arm 6 (CBA)

Massage OTHER

Duration of 45 minutes. A complete dorsal and ventral body massage will be performed, with superficial maneuvers at a slow pace of traditional massage.

ARM 3 (BAC); Arm 1 (ABC); Arm 2 (ACB); Arm 4 (BCA); Arm 5 (CAB); Arm 6 (CBA)

Placebo Comparator OTHER

The person will be instructed to stay for 45 minutes during which he/she will receive different electrotherapy techniques with the devices disconnected, a mobile device that simulates a beep will be placed so that the patient believes that the device is connected.

ARM 3 (BAC); Arm 1 (ABC); Arm 2 (ACB); Arm 4 (BCA); Arm 5 (CAB); Arm 6 (CBA)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Men and women (50%) 25-65 years old
• No metabolic risk.
• Resident in the province of Granada.
• Socio-economic level: medium-high
• Experience in self-care
• Spanish level C2

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy
• Participation in treatments and relaxation techniques or taking medication (anxiolytics) frequently (≥ 1 per week) in the last 12 months
• Medical situations limiting participation in the study: acute musculoskeletal pathologies (fractures, wounds, etc.) or local inflammatory processes, diagnosed psychiatric disease, vascular diseases (thrombosis), contagious diseases, fever, thermoregulation problems, incontinence, craniocerebral trauma or infarction (\< 6 months), thermal allergies, hypertension, or any uncontrolled systemic disease).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad de Granada: lead
• AL ÁNDALUS BAÑOS ÁRABES (Hammam Granada): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Granada

Granada, 18016, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Balneology; Massage

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Therapeutics; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 7, 2024
• First Posted: January 22, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2025
• Study Completion: November 15, 2025
• Last Updated: November 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Locations

ES (1)