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Not yet recruiting NCT07201935

Thermodynamic Exposure and Sleep in Military Cadets

No phase Interventional Cold-water Immersion High Heat Sauna Combination of Cold-water Immersion and High Heat Sauna

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Cold Water Immersion, High Heat Sauna.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Cold-water Immersion, High Heat Sauna, Combination of Cold-water Immersion and High Heat Sauna. Basic parameters: 18 years — 30 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
United States
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Official title

Hot, Cold, and Combined Thermodynamic Exposure to Improve Sleep Quality Among Military Cadets

Overview

This pilot study investigates the effects of cold-water immersion, traditional sauna use, and their combination on sleep architecture and psychological health in military cadets. The study uses wearable technologies including the Oura Ring to collect objective sleep and physiological data.

Detailed description

The study will enroll 45 military cadets from The Citadel Military College, randomized into three groups: Cold-Water Immersion (CWI), High Heat Sauna (HHS), and Combined (COM). Participants will undergo a 7-day baseline period followed by a 14-day intervention. Sleep architecture and psychological-affective health will be assessed using validated wearable devices and questionnaires. The study aims to identify intervention-specific improvements in sleep and psychological health.

Interventions

  • Behavioral Cold Water Immersion
    Participants will complete 14 daily sessions of cold-water immersion exposure.
  • Behavioral High Heat Sauna
    Participants will complete 14 evening sessions in the high heat sauna

Primary outcome measures

  • Sleep Efficiency [Time frame: Each night of the baseline monitoring period (7days) and intervention phase (14days)]
  • Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [Time frame: At the end of the baseline monitoring phase (Day 7), end of intervention week 1 (Day 14), and end of intervention phase (Day 28)]
  • Brief Mood Introspection Scale [Time frame: At the end of the baseline monitoring phase (Day 7), end of intervention week 1 (Day 14), and end of intervention phase (Day 28)]
Secondary outcome measures (9)
  • Total Sleep Duration [Time frame: Each night of the baseline monitoring period (7days) and intervention phase (14days)]
  • REM Sleep Duration [Time frame: Each night of the baseline monitoring period (7days) and intervention phase (14days)]
  • Deep Sleep Duration [Time frame: Each night of the baseline monitoring period (7days) and intervention phase (14days)]
  • Light Sleep Duration [Time frame: Each night of the baseline monitoring period (7days) and intervention phase (14days)]
  • Restless Sleep Duration [Time frame: Each night of the baseline monitoring period (7days) and intervention phase (14days)]
  • Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO) Duration [Time frame: Each night of the baseline monitoring period (7days) and intervention phase (14days)]
  • RMSSD [Time frame: Each night of the baseline monitoring period (7days) and intervention phase (14days)]
  • Nighttime Skin Temperature [Time frame: Each night of the baseline monitoring period (7days) and intervention phase (14days)]
  • Sleep Time Heart Rate [Time frame: Each night of the baseline monitoring period (7days) and intervention phase (14days)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

1\. 18 - 30 years of age 2. Enrolled military cadet at the Citadel Military College. 3. Access to a smartphone with access to appropriate app marketplace (Apple iOS 15, Android 8.0 or newer) and reliable data access.

4\. Ability to access and operate Oura Ring application. Exclusion Criteria

  • Medical contraindications to continuous wearing of the Oura Ring.
  • Current diagnosis of neurological conditions that impact vascular blood flow or the individual's ability to regulate temperature.
  • History of cardio-vascular conditions or history of poor blood circulation.
  • History of heat stroke or known sensitivity to hot/cold environments.
  • Currently taking medications that impair fluid balance, thermoregulation, blood flow, respiration, or heart rate.
  • Known dermatological disease aggravated by changes in temperature.
  • Pregnant or trying to become pregnant within the study timeframe. Urine samples will be provided by interested female cadets to ensure they are not pregnant.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

United States · 1 center
  • The Citadel Military College — Charleston

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07201935 · Pro00147353

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗