Warm baths may boost walking ability in PAD patients
NCT ID NCT03900832
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether sitting in a warm bath (38-41°C) for up to 30 minutes could reduce blood pressure spikes during exercise in 33 people with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Participants walked on a treadmill, and researchers measured walking time, blood pressure, and heart rate. The goal was to see if heat exposure makes exercise easier by calming the body's stress response.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- warm bath (water at 38-41°C)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to improve exercise tolerance in people with PAD.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study (33 people) testing a short-term effect. The results may not apply to all PAD patients or lead to a lasting treatment.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
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