Whole-Body Hyperthermia for Postpartum Depression

Overseen By Lauren M Osborne, MD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Must not be taking: Barbiturates, Diuretics, Beta blockers

Disqualifiers: Severe cardiovascular disease, Pregnancy, Active substance use, Recent major injuries, Autoimmune disease, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how whole-body hyperthermia (a treatment using heat) can assist with postpartum depression. The researchers aim to understand how this heat therapy affects the brain and whether it serves as a practical and welcomed treatment option for those experiencing depression after childbirth. Ideal participants include women or transgender men who have given birth within the last 6 months and are experiencing postpartum depression or wish to participate as healthy controls. As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research on innovative treatments for postpartum depression.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop all current medications, but it does mention that participants taking antidepressants must keep their dose steady throughout the study. Additionally, if you are taking medications like barbiturates, diuretics, or beta blockers, you may be excluded due to potential interactions with the treatment.

What prior data suggests that whole-body hyperthermia is safe for postpartum depression?

Research has shown that whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) might be a safe and promising treatment for depression. Previous studies found that WBH can reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder after just one session. Participants in these studies generally handled the treatment well, with few reports of serious side effects.

Most people experienced mild and temporary discomfort, such as feeling hot or sweaty. No reports of severe or long-lasting negative effects have emerged. This suggests that WBH could be a safe option for those exploring new treatments for postpartum depression. However, discussing potential risks with a healthcare provider before joining any clinical trial is important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Whole-body hyperthermia is unique because it offers a novel, non-pharmacological approach to treating postpartum depression. Unlike standard treatments like antidepressants and psychotherapy, which can take weeks to show results and involve medication, this method uses controlled, elevated body temperature to potentially alleviate symptoms more quickly and without drugs. Researchers are excited about this because it could provide a faster-acting and drug-free alternative for new mothers, reducing the burden of postpartum depression more efficiently and with fewer side effects.

What evidence suggests that whole-body hyperthermia might be an effective treatment for postpartum depression?

Research has shown that whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) might effectively treat major depressive disorder. In one study, a single WBH session significantly reduced depression symptoms. This treatment affects IL-6 signaling, which relates to depression. Although the results are promising, researchers continue to study WBH as a new method, particularly for postpartum depression. This trial will explore WBH's effectiveness in various groups, including those with postpartum depression. Early findings suggest it could quickly and effectively relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lauren M Osborne, PhD

Principal Investigator

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Jonathan Power, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy postpartum women or transgender men, and adults with major depression or anxiety disorders. Participants must be aged 18-50, and for postpartum individuals, within 6 months after giving birth. The study excludes anyone outside this age range or not meeting the specific mental health criteria.

Inclusion Criteria

Study Group 3: Subjects enrolled in Study Group 2 are eligible for an optional additional sub-study (Study Group 3); inclusion criteria are the same as for Study Group 2

Exclusion Criteria

For logistics, individuals with BMI >30 and waist size > 35 will be excluded from all cohorts

Study Group 3 - All participants: Individuals with metal in the body will be excluded from participating in the MRI portion of the research

Study Group 2: Arm 3 - Individuals with a history of psychiatric disorders as assessed by MINI will be excluded

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants undergo a single session of whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) therapy to examine scientific mechanisms and assess feasibility and acceptability

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in core temperature, inflammatory activity, and neural circuit activity post-intervention

6 weeks

Up to 7 fMRI scans and multiple assessments

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Whole-Body Hyperthermia

Trial Overview

The trial is testing whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) as a treatment for mood and anxiety disorders including postpartum depression. It involves one session of WBH therapy and tracks changes using fMRI scans in various participant groups over time to assess effectiveness.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group 3 - Cohort 2d Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Adults of both sexes 18-50 years of age meeting criteria for an episode of major depression or generalized anxiety disorder on the MINI

Group II: Group 3 - Cohort 2c Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Healthy adults of both sexes 18-50 years of age

Group III: Group 3 - Cohort 2b Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Women and transgender men 18-50 years of age, \<6 months postpartum, meeting criteria for a major depressive episode in the postpartum period on the MINI

Group IV: Group 3 - Cohort 2a Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Healthy women or transgender men 18-50 years of age, \<6 months postpartum

Group V: Group 2 - Cohort 2d Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Adults of both sexes 18-50 years of age meeting criteria for an episode of major depression or generalized anxiety disorder on the MINI

Group VI: Group 2 - Cohort 2c Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Healthy adults of both sexes 18-50 years of age

Group VII: Group 2 - Cohort 2b Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Women and transgender men 18-50 years of age, \<6 months postpartum, meeting criteria for a major depressive episode in the postpartum period on the MINI

Group VIII: Group 2 - Cohort 2a Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Healthy women or transgender men 18-50 years of age, \<6 months postpartum

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,103

Recruited

1,157,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A single session of whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) using a commercially available infrared sauna successfully raised participants' core body temperature to 101.3°F, which is associated with reduced depressive symptoms in previous studies.

Participants reported significant reductions in self-reported negative affect and depression symptoms from one week before to one week after the WBH session, suggesting that this non-pharmacologic treatment may be effective for major depressive disorder.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and acceptability of a Whole-Body hyperthermia (WBH) protocol. Mason, AE., Fisher, SM., Chowdhary, A., et al.[2022]

Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) has shown promising effects on mood and depression symptoms, with 19 out of 21 study endpoints demonstrating significant effect sizes (Cohen's d of 0.8 or greater) across 7 studies involving 148 participants.

WBH interventions, which included hot baths and infrared heating, were generally safe with low risk of adverse reactions, but the evidence is still insufficient for broad clinical recommendations, highlighting the need for further research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of whole-body hyperthermia interventions on mood and depression - are we ready for recommendations for clinical application? Hanusch, KU., Janssen, CW.[2019]

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