Heat Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Daniel Gagnon, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Montreal Heart Institute

Must not be taking: Insulin

Disqualifiers: Class 3 obesity, Hypertension, Cardiac disease, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

44 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether heat therapy can aid individuals with type 2 diabetes by enhancing fat and sugar metabolism and improving blood vessel health. Participants will use two types of foot baths: one with warm water and one with neutral water. The trial targets individuals who have had type 2 diabetes for at least a year and are on stable medication, excluding those with severe obesity or uncontrolled high blood pressure. The goal is to determine if simple heat treatments can complement current diabetes care. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative diabetes care research.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it requires that your medication has been stable for at least 12 weeks before joining.

What prior data suggests that heat therapy is safe for individuals with type 2 diabetes?

Research suggests that heat therapy might be safe for people with type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that heat exposure can help manage blood sugar levels and support heart health. For instance, one study found that after six weeks of regular heat exposure, participants had lower fasting blood sugar and improved hemoglobin A1C, which measures long-term blood sugar levels.

Few studies have been conducted on heat therapy, so more research is needed to confirm these results. However, no serious safety issues have been reported so far, indicating that many people might tolerate heat therapy well. Prospective trial participants should discuss any concerns with their doctor. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about home-based heat therapy for type 2 diabetes because it offers a unique, non-invasive approach that could complement or even reduce the need for medication. Unlike standard treatments, which typically involve drugs like metformin and insulin to manage blood sugar levels, this method uses heat to potentially improve insulin sensitivity and circulation. This simple, at-home therapy involves immersing feet in warm water, making it an accessible and low-risk option for patients looking to enhance their diabetes management.

What evidence suggests that heat therapy might be an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes?

Research has shown that heat therapy might benefit people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). One study found that spending time in heat for six weeks lowered blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1C, key indicators for managing diabetes. Another study noted that heat exposure improved blood vessel function, which is crucial since people with T2DM often face blood vessel issues. Additionally, heat therapy has been linked to better blood sugar control and heart health. This trial will compare two approaches: participants in the heat arm will immerse their feet in a foot bath with water at 42°C, while those in the thermoneutral arm will use water at 36°C. Although more research is needed, these findings suggest that heat therapy could be a helpful lifestyle change for managing T2DM. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for men and women aged 45-75 with type 2 diabetes diagnosed at least a year ago, who have been on stable medication for the past 12 weeks. It's not suitable for those with severe heart, kidney or lung diseases, very high obesity (Class 3), uncontrolled hypertension, serious nerve or eye damage from diabetes, those using insulin therapy, or with very high blood fat or cholesterol levels.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least a year.

My medication has been the same for the last 12 weeks.

I am between 45 and 75 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

My BMI is 40 or higher.

My high blood pressure is not controlled by medication.

I have been diagnosed with heart, kidney, or lung disease.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo 12 weeks of heat therapy to improve cardiometabolic functions

12 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Home-based Heat Therapy

Trial Overview The study is exploring whether sitting in hot water can improve heart health and sugar metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes. Participants will undergo heat therapy sessions over a period of 12 weeks to see if it helps manage fatty acids after eating, improves insulin sensitivity and benefits the lining of their blood vessels.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Heat Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will immerse their feet in a foot bath with water maintained at 42°C

Group II: Thermoneutral Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants will immerse their feet in a foot bath with water maintained at 36°C

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Montreal Heart Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

125

Recruited

85,400+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Acute passive heating before or during an oral glucose tolerance test did not improve blood glucose levels or insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes, indicating it may not enhance glucose tolerance.

However, passive heating significantly increased levels of extracellular heat shock protein 70 (eHSP70) and total energy expenditure, particularly when applied after glucose ingestion, while also reducing diastolic blood pressure.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Timing of acute passive heating on glucose tolerance and blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, balanced crossover, control trial. James, TJ., Corbett, J., Cummings, M., et al.[2021]

Passive heat therapy shows potential benefits for patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the changes in key cardiometabolic parameters like hemoglobin A1c and fasting glucose were not statistically significant based on a systematic review of five studies.

The study suggests that while passive heating may help improve glycemic control, more extensive randomized controlled trials with longer durations are necessary to confirm its effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Heat therapy shows benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sebők, J., Édel, Z., Váncsa, S., et al.[2022]

Long-term hot-tub therapy (HTT) for 5 months significantly improved various health markers in diabetic rats, including lipid profiles, antioxidant capacity, and insulin secretion, while also reducing advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

The increase in extracellular heat shock protein (Hsp70) levels due to HTT may help protect proteins from damage, suggesting a potential mechanism for the observed benefits in managing diabetic complications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of hot-tub therapy on serum Hsp70 level and its benefit on diabetic rats: a preliminary report. Bathaie, SZ., Jafarnejad, A., Hosseinkhani, S., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 13 adults with type 2 diabetes, hot water immersion significantly increased core temperature and heart rate but did not improve insulin sensitivity or other cardiometabolic markers after the treatment.

Despite previous evidence suggesting heat therapy could enhance cardiometabolic health, this study found that acute hot water immersion did not yield beneficial effects on glucose tolerance, blood vessel function, or inflammatory markers in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute effect of passive heat exposure on markers of cardiometabolic function in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Behzadi, P., Ravanelli, N., Gravel, H., et al.[2022]

Heat therapy significantly reduces mean arterial, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure, as shown in a systematic review of 15 studies involving various healthy and clinical populations.

In addition to lowering blood pressure, heat therapy improves vascular function, indicated by enhanced flow-mediated dilatation, suggesting it could be a valuable tool for preventing and managing cardiovascular disease risk factors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of heat therapy on blood pressure and peripheral vascular function: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pizzey, FK., Smith, EC., Ruediger, SL., et al.[2022]

In a study of 838 middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, those who bathed in hot water more frequently (more than seven times a week) showed a moderate association with better glycemic control, as indicated by lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels.

The analysis suggested that lower frequencies of hot water bathing (four to six times or less than three times a week) were linked to a higher risk of poor glycemic control, highlighting the potential benefits of regular hot water bathing for managing diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association of Daily Home-Based Hot Water Bathing and Glycemic Control in Ambulatory Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. Kamioka, H., Mori, Y., Horiuchi, T., et al.[2022]

Heat therapy significantly reduces muscle atrophy in diabetic rats, with a 34.3% reduction in muscle atrophy after 3 weeks and 44.1% after 6 weeks, indicating its potential effectiveness in preserving muscle mass in diabetes.

The mechanism of action involves the modulation of specific muscle proteins, as heat therapy increased hypertrophy markers (like AKT and mTOR) and decreased atrophy markers (like CD68 and MAFbx), suggesting a beneficial impact on muscle health in diabetic conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of heat therapy on neuromuscular function and muscle atrophy in diabetic rats. AlSabagh, AT., Rao, MS., Renno, WM.[2023]

Heat therapy, such as sauna and hot tub use, has been shown to significantly reduce key diabetes markers, including a 1% reduction in glycated hemoglobin, making it a promising treatment option for type 2 diabetes.

Mechanistically, heat therapy may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce body weight through increased levels of nitric oxide and heat shock protein 70, suggesting a biological basis for its benefits in metabolic health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Heat shock proteins and heat therapy for type 2 diabetes: pros and cons. Krause, M., Ludwig, MS., Heck, TG., et al.[2022]

Thermal biofeedback-assisted autogenic training significantly improved foot temperature and reduced blood pressure to normal levels in a patient with non-insulin-dependent diabetes and vascular disease over 21 treatment sessions.

After the treatment, the patient experienced a complete cessation of intermittent claudication symptoms and an increase in walking distance by about one mile per day, suggesting these therapies may be effective for improving circulation in diabetic patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Thermal biofeedback in the treatment of intermittent claudication in diabetes: a case study. Saunders, JT., Cox, DJ., Teates, CD., et al.[2019]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9277369/

Effect of HEAT therapy in patiEnts with type 2 Diabetes ... Heat therapy has been found effective in improving glycaemic control. However, to date, there is a lack of randomised controlled studies ...

2. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02656736.2021.2003445

Heat therapy shows benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes ... This study aimed to assess the efficacy of passive heat therapy on glycemic and cardiovascular parameters, and body weight among patients with T2DM.

3. trialfinder.panfoundation.org trialfinder.panfoundation.org/en-US/trial/listing/533496

Heat Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes This study aims to test whether home-based heat therapy (HT) can improve the health of older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12131943/

Effect of heat therapy compared with strength training on ... This study aims to evaluate the effects of resistance training (RT) and HT on HbA1c levels, metabolic and inflammatory profiles, gut microbiota, ...

5. journals.physiology.org journals.physiology.org/doi/10.1152/japplphysiol.00396.2024

Improving glycemic control via heat therapy in older adults ... Secondary outcomes of the HT intervention demonstrated significant changes in mean arterial pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and cerebral ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666667725001576

Non-acute effects of passive heating interventions on ... Current evidence from RCTs indicates that passive heating interventions may not improve most of the cardiometabolic or vascular health markers.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11697193/

Development and feasibility testing of a new device for home ... Emerging evidence suggests that regular heat therapy (HT) may improve cardiovascular and physical function in patients with PAD. However, the lack of accessible ...