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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03557502

Heat Therapy Versus Exercise Training in Hypertension

This is a clinical trial to determine whether 30 sessions of heat therapy in the form of hot water immersion is better than 30 sessions of traditional aerobic exercise training on blood pressure reduction in people with elevated or Stage 1 hypertension.

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Key information

Conditions

Hypertension Arterial Hypertension Cardiovascular Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

35 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon, 97403, United States

About this study

Hypertension accounts for more cardiovascular disease related deaths than any other modifiable risk factor. While exercise training can be effective at reducing blood pressure in some individuals, many people do not respond to exercise training, and many more are unwilling to undergo regular exercise training. Alternative options need to be explored. This is a clinical trial to determine whether 30 sessions of heat therapy in the form of hot water immersion is better than 30 sessions of traditional aerobic exercise training on blood pressure reduction in people with elevated blood pressure (hypertension). The investigators will evaluate known biomarkers of cardiovascular health. It is hypothesized that heat therapy will be superior to exercise training on blood pressure reduction.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Systolic Blood Pressure 120 mmHg or greater and less than 180 mmHg or Diastolic Blood Pressure of 80mmHg or greater and less than 120mmHg

Exclusion criteria

  • Secondary hypertension; diagnosed cardiovascular disease other than hypertension; taking anti-hypertensive drugs; BMI of 35 or greater; fasting glucose greater than 125 mg/dl; women who are pregnant, nursing, or desiring to become pregnant.

Treatment and study plan

Heat Therapy Group

Other

30 sessions of immersion in 40.5 degree celsius water for 45 minutes per session

Aerobic Exercise Group

Other

30 sessions of aerobic exercise training for 45 minutes at 60% of VO2peak

Primary outcomes

  1. Blood Pressure Reduction: Change in Systolic and Diastolic Ambulatory Blood Pressure (mmHg) After 30 Sessions of Intervention

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) was measured at baseline (PRE) and after 30 heat therapy or exercise training sessions (POST) over the course of 8-10 weeks. Two individuals performed post-intervention testing after completing only 27 sessions (1 in each group). Participants arrived at the lab and were fitted with an oscillometric blood pressure cuff attached to an ambulatory blood pressure monitor. The monitor was programmed to inflate and assess blood pressure every 20 min during self-reported waking hours and every 60 min during self-reported sleeping hours. Waking and sleeping times and measurement frequency were replicated at POST within each participant. Ambulatory blood pressure data were analyzed as 24-h total for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Change was calculated as the value at the POST timepoint minus the value at the PRE timepoint.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Arterial Stiffness: Change in Carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (m/s) From Pre (Baseline) to Post (After 30 Sessions of Intervention)

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (m/s) was measured as a marker of arterial stiffness using a pressure transducing tonometer over the carotid artery and an inflated leg cuff to detect the femoral artery pulse waveform using air displacement at baseline (PRE) and after 30 heat therapy or exercise training sessions (POST) over the course of 8-10 weeks. Two individuals performed post-intervention testing after completing only 27 sessions (1 in each group). Change was calculated as the value at the POST timepoint minus the value at the PRE timepoint.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Oregon

Other

Collaborators

  • Oregon Health and Science University

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Jun 15, 2018
Registry last updated
Jun 4, 2025

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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