50 Participants Needed

Cooling Strategies for Hyperthermia in the Elderly

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Overseen ByTaysom Wallace, MS
Age: 65+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to assess how well cooling modalities work in reducing cardiovascular stress of the elderly to heat wave conditions

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 excludes people with chronic conditions that require regular medication.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Cooling Strategies for Hyperthermia in the Elderly?

Research shows that wearing a water-soaked t-shirt without a fan can effectively reduce heat strain in older individuals in hot conditions. Additionally, active cooling methods, like evaporative cooling, are associated with lower mortality in severe heat illness cases.12345

Is it safe for elderly people to use cooling methods like fans and water-soaked clothing during heat exposure?

Research suggests that using a water-soaked t-shirt without a fan is a safe and effective way to manage heat in older adults, as it reduces sweat loss and heat strain. However, combining a fan with a water-soaked t-shirt may increase sweat loss without reducing heat strain.13678

How does the treatment for hyperthermia in the elderly using cooling strategies differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it combines methods like using a fan, skin cooling, and water spray to manage heat in older adults, focusing on evaporative cooling, which is effective when air conditioning is not available. Unlike other methods like cold-water immersion, this approach is more accessible and practical for use in everyday settings.13479

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people aged 65 or older who are generally healthy, without significant medical issues based on a thorough check-up. It's not open to those with certain heart problems, a BMI of 31 or higher, chronic conditions needing ongoing treatment, known heart disease, current smokers or those who quit within the last three years.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 65 years old or older.
Free of any significant underlying medical problems based upon a detailed medical history and physical exam

Exclusion Criteria

My heart screening showed possible signs of blocked blood flow or a new heart condition.
Current smokers, as well as individuals who regularly smoked within the past 3 years
My BMI is 31 or higher.
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Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment - Hot and Humid

Participants are exposed to a hot and humid climate chamber for 3 hours with different cooling modalities applied across four visits.

4 visits
4 visits (in-person)

Treatment - Very Hot and Dry

Participants are exposed to a very hot and dry climate chamber for 3 hours with different cooling modalities applied across four visits.

4 visits
4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including evaluation of cardiovascular and thermal responses.

2-4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Control
  • Fan
  • Skin Cooling, Fan, or Combination of Skin Cooling and Fan
  • Water Spray
  • Water Spray and Fan
Trial OverviewThe study is looking at how different cooling methods like fans and water sprays can help reduce heat-related cardiovascular stress in elderly individuals during heat waves. Some participants will use just a fan, others just a spray, some both together, and there'll be a control group with no intervention.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Very hot and dryExperimental Treatment4 Interventions
Subjects will be exposed to 3 hours in a climate chamber set to approximately 47 deg C and 15% relative humidity, which reflects a very hot and dry heat wave condition similar to the 2018 Los Angeles heat wave. Four visits will be required to complete this arm, with each visit a different cooling modality applied.
Group II: Hot and humidExperimental Treatment4 Interventions
Subjects will be exposed to 3 hours in a climate chamber set to approximately 41 deg C and 40% relative humidity, which reflects hot and humid heat wave similar to the 1995 Chicago heat wave. Four visits will be required to complete this arm, with each visit a different cooling modality applied.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,102
Recruited
1,077,000+

Findings from Research

Wearing a water-soaked t-shirt significantly reduces core temperature and thermal strain in older individuals exposed to hot and humid conditions, compared to wearing a dry t-shirt.
Using an electric fan with the water-soaked t-shirt increases sweat losses without providing additional benefits for heat management, making the combination less effective than just the wet t-shirt alone.
Keeping older individuals cool in hot and moderately humid conditions: wetted clothing with and without an electric fan.Cramer, MN., Huang, M., Moralez, G., et al.[2021]
In a study of heat stroke patients in Japan, active cooling combined with rehydration significantly reduced in-hospital mortality rates in severe cases (21.5% mortality) compared to rehydration-only therapy (35.5% mortality).
For patients with mild-to-moderate heat illness, active cooling did not show a significant benefit over rehydration alone, suggesting that cooling is particularly important for those with severe symptoms.
Association between active cooling and lower mortality among patients with heat stroke and heat exhaustion.Kanda, J., Nakahara, S., Nakamura, S., et al.[2023]
In two cases of drug-induced hyperthermia, ice water submersion demonstrated rapid cooling rates, with core temperatures dropping significantly: from 41.4ยฐC to 38ยฐC in 18 minutes and from 44.4ยฐC to 38.8ยฐC in 20 minutes.
These results suggest that ice water submersion may be more effective than mist and fan techniques for quickly reducing body temperature in hyperthermic patients, highlighting the need for further clinical data to determine the best cooling methods.
Ice water submersion for rapid cooling in severe drug-induced hyperthermia.Laskowski, LK., Landry, A., Vassallo, SU., et al.[2018]

References

Keeping older individuals cool in hot and moderately humid conditions: wetted clothing with and without an electric fan. [2021]
Association between active cooling and lower mortality among patients with heat stroke and heat exhaustion. [2023]
Ice water submersion for rapid cooling in severe drug-induced hyperthermia. [2018]
Heat-stroke: a review of rapid cooling techniques. [2019]
Heat stroke : a review of cooling methods. [2018]
Age Modulates Physiological Responses during Fan Use under Extreme Heat and Humidity. [2020]
Enhanced brain protection during passive hyperthermia in humans. [2022]
Pediatric heat-related illness: recommendations for prevention and management [2019]
Do Alternative Cooling Methods Have Effective Cooling Rates for Hyperthermia Compared With Previously Established CWI Cooling Rates? [2021]