CompletedNot Applicable

Chronic Passive Heating in Healthy Older Adults

United Kingdom19 participantsStarted 2023-05-23

Plain-language summary

Aging is associated with a decline in cardiovascular health, cognitive function and losses in muscle strength, with half or more of those over age 65 suffering from two or more comorbidities (e.g., heart disease, type 2 diabetes). The worldwide population of older adults is growing rapidly, with one in six people expected to be over age 65 by 2050. This will place further financial burden from chronic diseases on already stressed healthcare systems. While studies show that frequent exercise is an effective way for older adults to maintain or improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, older individuals are less physically active and do not adhere well to exercise programs, often due to physical or medical limitations. Therefore, alternative methods for older adults to get the same health benefits as exercise require further exploration. Recent work has shown that passive heat therapy may be one such alternative solution.

Who can participate

Age range55 Years

SexALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female age ≥ 55 * Free from cardiometabolic disease * Body mass index of 18-35 kg/m2 * Receipt of a normal 12-lead ECG approved by the School Independent Medical Officer * Capacity to understand and provide their written, informed consent to participate in the study protocol Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to understand or cooperate with the study protocol due to learning difficulties or otherwise * Any current, or past medical (last five years), history of any cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, haematological, lymphatic, neurological, psychiatric, or any other disease or diseases. * Any regular medication for the last five years (not including acute courses of treatment of less than one month for discrete, resolved conditions). * Medications that may influence physiological responses to the passive heating intervention Uncontrolled hypertension (≥ 150 mmHg systolic and/or ≥ 90 mmHg diastolic) * Body mass index of \> 35 kg/m2 * Recent long-term exposure to a hot climate (within the previous three months) * Current smoker (or have stopped smoking within the previous three months)

What they're measuring

Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation

Timeframe: Pre and post 6 weeks of passive heating and pre and post 6 weeks no intervention with 6 weeks washout between arms

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05618197

SponsorUniversity of Portsmouth

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-06-06