Showers and Stress (NCT07611422) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Showers and Stress
Italy120 participantsStarted 2026-05-10
Plain-language summary
The study investigates whether repeated exposure to cold showers can improve the ability to cope with and respond to stress. In particular, it examines both the psychophysiological effects of cold showers and the role of expectations regarding their effectiveness. The research adopts a 2×2 experimental design with approximately 120 healthy adults, randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group, and further divided based on the presence or absence of information emphasizing the potential benefits of the intervention. The experimental group takes warm or lukewarm showers with a final 30-second exposure to cold water at least four times per week, while the control group takes only warm or lukewarm showers. In parallel, some participants receive positive information about the effectiveness of the intervention for stress management, while others receive no specific information. At baseline and at the end of the study, participants complete questionnaires assessing perceived stress, psychological well-being, and quality of life, along with a physiological measure and a cognitive stress task (Stroop test with heart rate monitoring). During the four-week intervention period, participants keep a daily diary recording shower habits and perceived stress levels.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 60 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria
Participants will be eligible for the study if they meet the following criteria:
* Age ≥ 18 years
* Good general health status, self-reported and/or certified by a medical document (e.g., general medical certificate or sports medical clearance)
* Willingness to participate for the full duration of the study (4 weeks)
* Ability to understand and independently complete questionnaires and study diaries
* Signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
Participants will be excluded from the study if they present:
* Uncompensated cardiovascular, neurological, or endocrine conditions considered relevant to stress or cold exposure tolerance
* Medical conditions contraindicating cold exposure (e.g., Raynaud's phenomenon, cold urticaria, etc.)
* Pregnancy
* Use of medications that may interfere with stress responses (e.g., beta-blockers, anxiolytics, systemic corticosteroids)
* Acute or unstable psychiatric disorders
* Inability to comply with the experimental protocol or complete study materials
* Concurrent participation in other studies involving stress or physiological regulation interventions
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.