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

NCT ID NCT07596914

Not yet recruiting Symptom relief Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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.

Hyperthermia major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
University of California, San Francisco, Osher Center for Integrative Health

San Francisco, California, 94115, United States

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