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NCT Number: NCT07520929

Acute Sauna Session and Glucose Control

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effect of a single 40-minute sauna session on glucose control in individuals at risk for metabolic impairments.

Research Questions:

* Can a single sauna session completed before a meal reduce the post-meal blood glucose response? * Can a single sauna session improve 24-hour glucose control?

Study Design:

Participants will complete two lab visits: one involving a sauna session and one placebo visit (resting condition). Researchers will compare the effects on glucose control using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).

What Participants Will Do:

Attend a sauna familiarization session Have a CGM sensor placed on the upper arm Visit the lab twice (once for sauna, once for placebo) Consume three standardized meals at home after each session

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity & Overweight Body Temperature Changes Body Weight Heat Stress Disorders Hyperthermia Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Wounds and Injuries

Age range

30 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 4P3, Canada

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Etienne Myette-Cote, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

9026550756

About this study

At least 72 hours prior to the first trial, participants will complete a familiarization session consisting of two 20-minute infrared sauna exposures. The study employs a randomized crossover design, with each participant completing both experimental conditions-infrared sauna (two 20-minute sessions at 175°F / 79°C, separated by a 5-minute break) and seated rest (two 20-minute periods of quiet sitting, separated by a 5-minute break)-separated by at least 72 hours. On each trial day, participants will arrive at the laboratory at 7:50 a.m. after an overnight fast from 8:00 p.m., with water permitted throughout. Participants will wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) during both trial days. Baseline measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and oral body temperature will be recorded, and food logs reviewed. Following the condition session, a sedentary recovery period will occur until 9:45 a.m., with repeated physiological measurements. Final measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and oral body temperature will be collected prior to a standardized breakfast provided from 9:45 to 10:10 a.m. Participants will depart thereafter by car or public transportation and remain sedentary for the remainder of the day. Meals for the rest of the day, i.e., breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a bedtime snack, will be provided and identical across trial days. Participants will fast again from 9:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. the following morning.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Are 30-55 years old

Have a body mass index of ≥ 27 kg/m2

Have a waist size >102 cm (men) or >88 cm (women)

Have access to transportation for the 2 experimental visits (e.g., car, public transit, or drop-off).

Are cleared for participation based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+).

Exclusion criteria

Take medications that affect blood sugar

Exercise intensely 2+ times/week

Have diabetes, heart issues, low blood sugar or pressure

Are pregnant

Regularly use saunas or other heat therapy 1+ times/week

Treatment and study plan

Infrared sauna session

Other

Infrared sauna session (approximately 165°F; two 20-minute sessions separated by a 5-minute rest outside the sauna)

Resting condition

Other

Seated resting session (45 minutes outside the sauna)

Primary outcomes

  1. Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Breakfast)

    Time frame: 2 hours

    2-hour postprandial incremental AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized breakfast consumed 45 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.

Secondary outcomes

  1. 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Breakfast)

    Time frame: 2 hours

    2-hour postprandial AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized breakfast consumed 45 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.

  2. Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Lunch)

    Time frame: 2 hours

    Incremental 2-hour postprandial AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized lunch consumed 225 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.

  3. Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Dinner)

    Time frame: 2 hours

    Incremental 2-hour postprandial AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized lunch consumed 435 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.

  4. Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Bedtime snack)

    Time frame: 2 hours

    Incremental 2-hour postprandial AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized lunch consumed 645 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.

  5. Average incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (4 meals)

    Time frame: 2 hours

    Average incremental 2-hour postprandial CGM glucose AUC above baseline, measured after each standardized meal consumed following the sauna or resting (control) session. The incremental AUC for all four meals will be summed and divided by four to calculate the average incremental postprandial response.

  6. Time below range

    Time frame: 24 hours

    Total time (minutes) during which CGM glucose values remained below 3.9 mmol/L over the 24-hour period following the sauna or resting (control) session.

  7. Time above range

    Time frame: 24 hours

    Total time (minutes) during which CGM glucose values remained above 7.8 mmol/L over the 24-hour period following the sauna or resting (control) session.

  8. Time in range

    Time frame: 24 hours

    Total time (minutes) during which CGM glucose values remained between 3.9 and 7.8 mmol/L over the 24-hour period following the sauna or resting (control) session.

  9. Session-induced delta glucose

    Time frame: 45 minutes

    Change in CGM glucose during the 45-minute sauna or resting (control) session, calculated as the difference between post-session and pre-session values (Δ = post - pre).

  10. Fasting glucose

    Time frame: 15 minutes

    CGM glucose representing fasting levels the morning after the sauna or resting (control) session, computed as the mean glucose over the 15 minutes preceding the standardized breakfast.

  11. Daily mean glucose

    Time frame: 24 hours

    CGM glucose average over the 24h period following the sauna or resting (control session).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Etienne Myette-Cote, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

9025660756

Romina Babazadeh, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

9026205034

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Prince Edward Island

Other

Collaborators

  • DexCom, Inc.

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of an Acute Sauna Session on Glucose Control in Individuals at Risk for Metabolic Impairments

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Apr 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 9, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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