Could a Warm-Up lift your mood? new study tests heat therapy for depression

NCT ID NCT07596914

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether combining whole-body hyperthermia (a controlled rise in body temperature) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help adults with major depressive disorder. Sixty participants will receive either CBT, heat sessions, both, or neither, to see if the combination is feasible and acceptable. The goal is to gather data for a larger future trial.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

whole-body hyperthermia and cognitive behavioral therapy

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for major depressive disorder that combines physical and behavioral approaches.

What could go wrong

This is an early feasibility study with only 60 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The hyperthermia sessions are time-intensive and may cause discomfort.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Hyperthermia major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Cleveland Clinic Foundation

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • University of California, San Francisco, Osher Center for Integrative Health

    San Francisco, California, 94115, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••