Comparing the Efficacy of Heated Yoga and Sauna as a Treatment for Depression

Part of paid clinical trials in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Study ID
NCT07082998
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Depression
  • Depression - Major Depressive Disorder
  • Depression Chronic
  • Depression Disorder
  • Depression Disorders
  • Depression in Adults

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 65 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • heated yoga — BEHAVIORAL
    12-weeks of twice weekly 90-min heated yoga classes in the community
  • sauna — BEHAVIORAL
    12-weeks of twice weekly 40-min sauna sessions in the community
  • mindfulness app — BEHAVIORAL
    12-weeks of 80-mins a week of a mindfulness app

Study Details

This project explores whether heated yoga, sauna, and a mindfulness app reduce depressive symptoms

Key Dates

Start date
Sep 12, 2025
Status verified
Nov 2025
Primary completion
Jul 31, 2027
Completion
Jul 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
120 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: heated yoga
    heated yoga 2x per week for 12 weeks
  • Experimental: sauna
    infrared sauna 2x per week for 12 weeks
  • Active Comparator: mindfulness app
    Insight Timer app for 80 mins per week for 12 weeks

Primary Outcome Measure

Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) [ Time Frame: Weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 26, 20 ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusetts02114
Maren B Nyer, PhD
[email protected]
617-726-8895
David Mischoulon, MD, PhD
[email protected]
617-726-8895

Find similar trials in Boston, MA

By condition
Depression
By specialty
PsychiatryMental healthBehavioral health
By research site
Massachusetts General Hospital· Boston, MA

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