Visual and Acoustic Effects of Human Thermal Comfort and Perception in a Micro-Climatically Steady Environment

NCT06985940 | Withdrawn DMC

• 3 other identifiers: 2024-1656A489400L&S/PLANNING & LANDSCAPE ARCH
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: N/A
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to understand how environmental factors influence comfort and health. The main question it aims to answer is:

• do temperature, visuals, and sounds affect a person's physiology and perception? Participants will watch short videos in 2 different climate-controlled environments and provide feedback on their thermal experiences.

Conditions

Thermal Perception

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Change in thermal perception

  Thermal comfort will be assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure perceptions of thermal sensation, preference, comfort, pleasantness, and self-perceived shivering. The thermal acceptance of the environment will be rated on a binary scale (acceptable/unacceptable).

  Baseline to 90 minutes

• Change in pulse rate

  Pulse will be measured using the Empatica Plus 4

  Baseline to 90 minutes

• Change in skin temperature

  Skin temperature will be measured at 14 sites using iButtons (DS1922L)

  Baseline to 90 minutes

• Change in blood pressure

  Measured using an automatic blood pressure monitor

  Baseline to 90 minutes

• Change in core temperature

  Measured using CORE core temperature device.

  Baseline to 90 minutes

Study Arms (1)

Climate-controlled chamber

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be in a climate-controlled chamber. Temperature will vary by 5 degrees both warmer and colder.

Other: Visual stimulation; Other: Acoustic stimulation; Other: Combination

Interventions

Visual stimulation OTHER

Participants will watch a 10-minute snow- or fire-themed video

Climate-controlled chamber

Acoustic stimulation OTHER

Participants will listen to a natural sound from fire burning or snow falling

Climate-controlled chamber

Combination OTHER

Participants will undergo both visual and acoustic stimulation

Climate-controlled chamber

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-40 years
• BMI between 18-27.5 kg/m²
• No history of color blindness or sensory impairments
• Normal chronotype (consistent sleep-wake patterns)
• Must have lived in or near Guangzhou, China for at least two months prior to participation

You may not qualify if:

• Children (age under 18), elders (age \> 60)
• People with obesity
• People with a history of color blindness
• People without a consistent sleep-awake pattern
• People with limited English proficiency

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Wisconsin, Madison: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Photic Stimulation; Acoustic Stimulation

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Stimulation; Investigative Techniques; Therapeutics; Sensory Art Therapies; Complementary Therapies

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 14, 2025
• First Posted: May 22, 2025
• Study Start: October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: October 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

US (1)