Sweat away sadness: heated yoga and sauna tested as depression treatments

NCT ID NCT07082998

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 4 times

Summary

This study compares heated yoga, sauna sessions, and a mindfulness app to see which best reduces symptoms of depression. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are recruiting 120 adults aged 18-65 with moderate to severe depression. Participants will attend twice-weekly sessions for 12 weeks, and their progress will be tracked using standard depression questionnaires.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: heated yoga, sauna, mindfulness app
What this could lead to: If this trial succeeds, it could point toward simple, non-drug treatments for depression that people can do on their own.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study with only 120 participants, and the treatments are behavioral, so results may vary widely. There is no guarantee any of these approaches will work better than others or be widely adopted.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression depressive disorder major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DEPRESSION DEPRESSION - MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER DEPRESSION CHRONIC DEPRESSION DISORDER DEPRESSION DISORDERS DEPRESSION IN ADULTS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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