Acute Sauna Session and Glucose Control

NCT07520929 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UPrinceEdwardIsland
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effect of a single 40-minute sauna session on glucose control in individuals at risk for metabolic impairments. Research Questions:

• Can a single sauna session completed before a meal reduce the post-meal blood glucose response?
• Can a single sauna session improve 24-hour glucose control? Study Design: Participants will complete two lab visits: one involving a sauna session and one placebo visit (resting condition). Researchers will compare the effects on glucose control using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). What Participants Will Do: Attend a sauna familiarization session Have a CGM sensor placed on the upper arm Visit the lab twice (once for sauna, once for placebo) Consume three standardized meals at home after each session

Conditions

Obesity & Overweight

Keywords

sauna; heat-therapy; obesity; overweight; continuous glucose monitoring

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Breakfast)

  2-hour postprandial incremental AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized breakfast consumed 45 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.

  2 hours

Secondary Outcomes (11)

• 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Breakfast)

  2 hours

• Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Lunch)

  2 hours

• Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Dinner)

  2 hours

• Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Bedtime snack)

  2 hours

• Average incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (4 meals)

  2 hours

Study Arms (2)

Sauna

EXPERIMENTAL

Infrared sauna session

Other: Infrared sauna session

Resting control

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Seated resting session

Other: Resting condition

Interventions

Infrared sauna session OTHER

Infrared sauna session (approximately 165°F; two 20-minute sessions separated by a 5-minute rest outside the sauna)

Sauna

Resting condition OTHER

Seated resting session (45 minutes outside the sauna)

Resting control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Are 30-55 years old
• Have a body mass index of ≥ 27 kg/m2
• Have a waist size \>102 cm (men) or \>88 cm (women)
• Have access to transportation for the 2 experimental visits (e.g., car, public transit, or drop-off).
• Are cleared for participation based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+).

You may not qualify if:

• Take medications that affect blood sugar
• Exercise intensely 2+ times/week
• Have diabetes, heart issues, low blood sugar or pressure
• Are pregnant
• Regularly use saunas or other heat therapy 1+ times/week

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Prince Edward Island: lead
• DexCom, Inc.: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 4P3, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity; Overweight; Hyperthermia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Body Temperature Changes; Heat Stress Disorders; Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• Etienne Myette-Cote

  University of Prince Edward Island

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Etienne Myette-Cote, PhD

CONTACT

9025660756; emyette-cote@upei.ca

Romina Babazadeh, MSc

CONTACT

9026205034; rbabazadeh@upei.ca

Study Design

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

Model Details: Randomized controlled trial (pilot study)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 2, 2026
• First Posted: April 9, 2026
• Study Start: December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 15, 2027
• Last Updated: April 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)