NCT07082998 Comparing the Efficacy of Heated Yoga and Sauna as a Treatment for Depression
| NCT ID | NCT07082998 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Condition | Depression Disorders |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 120 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-09-12 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-07-31 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 120 participants in total. It began in 2025-09-12 with a primary completion date of 2027-07-31.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
This project explores whether heated yoga, sauna, and a mindfulness app reduce depressive symptoms
Eligibility Criteria
Subject Characteristics Inclusion Criteria: 1. adults (18-65 years old) 2. Ability to provide informed consent 3. English language proficiency 4. PHQ-9 score \> 10, indicating at least moderate depressive symptoms 21 5. Must have filled out the waiver for the community-based partners prior to enrolling in the study\* 6. Individuals of childbearing potential must use an acceptable form of birth control 7. (if applicable) willingness to keep psychiatric medications and psychotherapy stable throughout the course of the study 8. Must be able to access mindfulness app on a device (i.e., smartphone, iPad, etc.) 9. Can travel to Breathe in Harvard Square and at least one Restore location (i.e., Hingham, Somerville, Dedham, Newton, Lynnfield) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant 2. Breast feeding 3. Active suicidal thinking (i.e., PHQ-9 item 9 ≥1 and a positive response to C-SSRS screener items 3, 4, 5, or 6) 4. Active eating disorders or substance use disorders within the past 12 months, as per the MINI 5. Primary OCD or PTSD, as per the MINI 6. History of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, as per the MINI 7. ≥25% drop in PHQ-9 score from screen to baseline 8. Under the influence or withdrawal of drugs or alcohol 9. Positive urine toxicology screen due to illicit drug use or other exclusionary medications. (Potential false positives will be addressed on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the PI or designee) 10. have had a bone fracture or joint surgery in the past 6 months 11. not able to walk freely or without difficulty 12. any serious, unstable medical condition as determined by the revised Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) and do not have approval from their treating physician (we will check in with treating physician in the event that participants endorse any item on the PAR-Q+) 13. participants must have a healthcare provider who they could contact if they needed medical care, such as a primary care doctor, a counselor, a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner, or a clinic that you go to. 14. Significant exposure to heated yoga classes in the past 3 months (i.e., more than 6 classes) 15. Significant exposure to sauna sessions in the past 3 months (i.e., more than 6 sessions) 16. Significant exposure to mindfulness app in the past 3 months (i.e., more than 6 uses of the app) 17. are on medications that make dehydration more likely (e.g., lithium, antipsychotics, insulin-dependent) diuretics, barbiturates, b-blockers, anticholinergics, current ETOH acute intoxication, reduced ability to sweat, hemophilia, pacemaker (magnets used to assemble saunas can interrupt the pacer) 18. antidepressant or psychiatric medications that are initiated less than 8 weeks or a dose change less than 4 weeks prior to screening visit 19. psychotherapy that has been initiated within the past 3 months 20. psychiatric hospitalization within the past year 21. diagnosed with any neurological disorders that would impact participation or make participation unsafe 22. are currently in active ketamine, Electroconvulsive therapy, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatments 23. are unable to follow the study procedures (e.g., not able to travel to the heated yoga or sauna studios) 24. A subject who in the opinion of the Principal Investigator would not be able to safely complete the study or would jeopardize study integrity
Contact & Investigator
Maren B Nyer, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Massachusetts General Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07082998 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 65 Years, studying Depression Disorders. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07082998 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07082998 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at mnyer@mgh.harvard.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07082998 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Boston, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07082998 clinical trial?
NCT07082998 is sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital. The principal investigator is Maren B Nyer, PhD at Massachusetts General Hospital. The trial plans to enroll 120 participants.
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