Simulated Heat Exposure for Heat Stress
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
The likelihood of exposure to overheated indoor environments is increasing as climate change is exacerbating the frequency and severity of hot weather and extreme heat events. Prolonged exposure to excessive heat stress can result in a deterioration in physiological function leading to a myriad of pathophysiological conditions (e.g., heat exhaustion, acute kidney injury, adverse cardiovascular events, heat stroke) that if left untreated can lead to death. While the relationship between extreme heat events and human health has been assessed in relation to outdoor exposure to high heat conditions, relatively little is known about the effects of daylong exposures to indoor overheating on the body's physiology. In this study, investigators will examine the change in physiological responses (i.e., thermal, cardiovascular) in young (18-35 years) adults exposed to successive days and nights of high indoor temperatures typical of conditions recording in dwellings without air conditioning during the 2021 Western Heat Dome. Specifically, study participants will be housed in a large environmental chamber (outfitted with bed, work space, sitting area, kitchen and bathroom) for three successive days (three days and two nights) while exposed to indoor overheating where daytime temperatures will be maintained at 36°C (45% relative humidity; note: 36°C, temperatures experienced in homes without air-conditioning) for a 10-hour daytime exposure period (DAYTIME: defined as the time period from 9:00 to 19:00). For the nighttime exposure period (NIGHTTIME: defined as the time period from 19:00 to 9:00), participants will be exposed to nighttime temperatures fixed at 31°C (45% relative humidity; note: reductions in indoor temperatures during the nighttime in large urban centers range between 4-6°C). Participants will be permitted to move freely throughout the day in the chamber, but will be restricted from performing any physical activity except for the completion of a battery of tests (cardiovascular, cognitive and posture assessments performed prior to (as performed between 7:00 and 9:00) and the end (as performed between 17:00 and 19:00) of the daytime exposure). During the nighttime period, participants will be permitted to move freely until they decide to go to bed.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, since the trial excludes people with chronic health conditions, it might imply that participants should not be on regular medication for such conditions.
Is simulated heat exposure generally safe for humans?
Research Team
Glen P Kenny, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Ottawa
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for young adults aged 18-35 who speak English or French, do not smoke, and can give informed consent. It's designed to study the effects of heat waves on people in indoor settings without air conditioning.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Exposure
Participants are exposed to high indoor temperatures in an environmental chamber for three successive days and two nights, with specific daytime and nighttime temperature settings.
Assessment
Participants undergo cardiovascular, cognitive, and postural assessments during the exposure period.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for any delayed physiological effects after the exposure period.
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Simulated indoor overheating exposure
Simulated indoor overheating exposure is already approved in European Union, United States for the following indications:
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Fallopian tube cancer
- Peritoneal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Ottawa
Lead Sponsor