The Effect of Water Temperature on Heart Rate Variability and Cognition (NCT07654270) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
The Effect of Water Temperature on Heart Rate Variability and Cognition
30 participantsStarted 2026-07-13
Plain-language summary
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a key indicator of fitness, and stress resilience. Previous research has shown that HRV decreases under mental workload, including during tasks that require strict attention. Studies also show that temperature exposure affects attention: cold increases the stress response while warm water has a calming effect. Very few studies combine thermal exposure with cognitive testing, and no controlled trials have investigated whether water temperature modulates HRV responses specifically during cognitive demand.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 30 Years
Sex
FEMALE
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:
* Healthy women free of chronic disease (by self-report)
* 18-30 years of age
Exclusion Criteria:
* medication/drug use that has not been consistent for the previous 3 months or will be discontinued during the trial
* any acute illness
* regular use of cigarettes or marijuana
* pregnant or lactating women
* not fluent in English
* not willing to attend two in-person lab visits in downtown Phoenix and follow study protocol (including abstaining from caffeine in the 12 hours prior to testing)
* not currently competing in sports or unusually high-intensity exercise protocols (e.g., high-intensity exercise greater than 30 minutes most days of the week)
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.