Heat Therapy for Obesity

Overseen By John R Halliwill, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Oregon

Must not be taking: Blood pressure, Blood clotting, Blood sugars

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Hypertension, Smoker, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 10 weeks

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine whether regular sessions in a far infrared sauna (a type of heat therapy) can improve heart and metabolic health in adults with obesity. Participants in the experimental group will undergo 30 sauna sessions over approximately 10 weeks, while the control group will maintain their usual lifestyle. The trial is suitable for individuals with a BMI between 30 and 45 who do not have diabetes or high blood pressure and are not on certain medications. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore potential health benefits from an innovative therapy.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, you will need to stop taking your medications (except hormone contraceptives) for 24 hours before testing days.

What prior data suggests that far infrared sauna bathing is safe for adults with obesity?

Studies have shown that far infrared saunas are generally safe for people with obesity. Research indicates that regular sessions can lead to positive bodily changes without harm. For example, one study found that while muscle temperature increases during a session, core body temperature does not change significantly, indicating the body handles the heat well.

Another study suggested that far infrared saunas might help with conditions like heart failure and high blood pressure, indicating they are not only safe but also potentially beneficial. Participants in these studies did not report major harmful side effects, which supports their safety. Overall, evidence supports that far infrared sauna use is well-tolerated by most people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about heat therapy using far infrared sauna bathing as a potential treatment for obesity because it offers a non-invasive and relaxing approach to weight management. Unlike traditional options like dieting, exercise, or medication, this method utilizes far infrared radiation to penetrate the skin and increase body temperature, potentially boosting metabolism and promoting fat loss. This therapy might also enhance circulation and improve overall well-being, setting it apart from more conventional treatments.

What evidence suggests that far infrared sauna bathing might be an effective treatment for obesity?

Studies have shown that using a far infrared sauna may improve heart and metabolic health in people with obesity. In this trial, participants in the heat therapy arm will undergo 30 sessions of far infrared sauna bathing over approximately 10 weeks. Research indicates that obese individuals can safely use a dry sauna regularly, potentially leading to a better quality of life. Additionally, evidence suggests that heat therapy, such as sauna use, can reduce arterial stiffness, which is important for heart health. Some reports also mention benefits like improved sleep quality after regular sauna sessions. Although more research is needed to confirm these benefits, early findings are promising. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Christopher T Minson, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Oregon

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with obesity, having a BMI between 30-45 kg/m2. It's not suitable for those allergic to lidocaine, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, people with diagnosed diabetes or coagulopathies, smokers, and those exercising more than 120 minutes per week.

Inclusion Criteria

My BMI is between 30 and 45.

Exclusion Criteria

Allergies to lidocaine

Pregnant

Breastfeeding

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo 30 sessions of far infrared sauna bathing over approximately 10 weeks

10 weeks

3 to 4 sessions per week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Far Infrared Sauna Bathing

Trial Overview The trial is testing if far infrared sauna bathing can help improve heart health and metabolism in obese adults. Participants will undergo 30 sessions of this heat therapy to assess its effectiveness.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Heat therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group will undergo 30 sessions of heat therapy over approximately 10 weeks. Sessions will require participants to sit in a far infrared sauna for up to 45 min for 3 to 4 times per week.

Group II: Time control group Active Control 1 Intervention

No participation in sauna bathing. Maintain lifestyle habits for approximately 10 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Oregon

Lead Sponsor

Trials

91

Recruited

46,700+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07158047?term=NA

Repeated Far Infrared Sauna Bathing in Adults With Obesity This is a clinical trial to determine if 30 sessions of far infrared sauna bathing can improve cardiovascular and metabolic function in adults with obesity.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7509121/

Repeated Dry Sauna Therapy Improves Quality of Life in ... From our study, dry sauna therapy at 90°C could be safely performed in obese people without any adverse effects. Our results showed a significant increase in ...

3. scholarsbank.uoregon.edu scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/bitstreams/15e18b18-377f-424d-8024-7f3892369ad6/download

REPEATED INFRARED SAUNA BATHING IN ADULTS WITH ... Previous reports have shown that heat therapy can reduce arterial stiffness, however it is unknown whether repeated far-infrared sauna bathing is also effective ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229919300998

A hot topic for health: Results of the Global Sauna Survey Of all respondents, 83.5% reported sleep benefits after sauna use. Analysis of well-being scores after stratifying respondents into three groups by sauna- ...

5. sunlighten.com sunlighten.com/blog/weight-loss-research-summary/

Science that Supports Infrared Sauna for Weight Loss Discover the science behind infrared sauna & weight loss. Explore research showing how Sunlighten saunas help slim waistlines.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6360547/

Correlations between Repeated Use of Dry Sauna for 4 x 10 ... Repeated use of Finnish sauna induces significant changes in the physiological parameters of young sedentary overweight men, and these changes are intensified ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1499267110420079

Do Far-infrared Saunas Have Cardiovascular Benefits in ... Far-infrared saunas are beneficial for the treatment of congestive heart failure, hypertension and obesity. As such, they may have a beneficial effect on ...

8. journals.physiology.org journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/japplphysiol.00067.2025

Muscle temperature increases during a single far infrared ... Muscle temperature increases during a single far infrared sauna session without changes in intestinal temperature.