Can a warm body lift a dark mood? scientists probe heat therapy for depression

NCT ID NCT03787290

First seen Nov 13, 2025 · Last updated May 04, 2026 · Updated 24 times

Summary

This study tests whether mild whole body hyperthermia (gentle heating) can reduce depression symptoms, and whether a drug that blocks an immune protein called IL-6 changes that effect. About 35 adults with major depression will receive either the drug or a placebo before the heating session. The goal is to understand if IL-6 plays a key role in how heat therapy might improve mood, which could lead to new depression treatments.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02139, United States

Conditions

Explore the condition pages connected to this study.