RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Home-based Heat Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

This study investigates whether warming up in hot water at home could be a helpful additional treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. We know that diabetes can increase the risk of heart and blood vessel problems. While medicines are important, this research looks into simple lifestyle changes that could also make a difference. Early research suggests that heat exposure might improve how the body uses insulin and processes sugar, and could also help blood vessels function better. The purpose of this project is to understand if regular heat treatment over 12 weeks can improve how people with type 2 diabetes handle fats after meals, how sensitive their bodies are to insulin, and the health of their blood vessels. Ultimately, this study aims to find new, easy-to-do ways to improve key health markers for those living with type 2 diabetes.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Montreal Heart Institute

Enrolment target

Start

18 Feb 2022

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2027

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Heat Exposure

What is this study about?

If you have type 2 diabetes, you know it's important to manage your blood sugar. Sometimes, even with medication, people with type 2 diabetes still have a higher chance of developing heart and blood vessel problems. This study is exploring a new idea: could regularly warming up your body, like in a warm bath, help improve your health?

Past research in animals has shown that regular heat exposure can help reduce high blood sugar and improve how the body uses insulin. Studies in humans have also suggested that heat might improve how our blood vessels work. Based on this, scientists think that using heat therapy could be a simple lifestyle change that helps people with type 2 diabetes improve their heart health and how their body manages sugar and fats.

This project will involve men and women with type 2 diabetes and will look at how their bodies respond to regular warmth over 12 weeks. We want to see if this heat treatment can improve important things like how your body deals with fats after you eat, how well your body responds to insulin, and the overall health of your blood vessels. The goal is to see if this easy, home-based approach could be a useful way to support the health of people with type 2 diabetes, alongside their usual medical care.

Key takeaways

Exploring if warm water soaks can help manage type 2 diabetes.
Aims to improve how your body handles sugar and fats, and blood vessel health.
Involves home-based warm water therapy for 12 weeks.
Requires clinic visits for health assessments and blood tests.
You continue your usual diabetes medication.
Could help find new, easy ways to support heart health in diabetes.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for men and women between the ages of 45 and 75 who have had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for at least one year. It's important that your diabetes medication has been stable and unchanged for at least 12 weeks before joining.

There are certain conditions that would prevent you from taking part. For example, if you have severe obesity, or high blood pressure that isn't well controlled by medication, you wouldn't be able to join. We also can't include people who have serious heart, kidney, or lung conditions, or significant nerve damage or eye damage related to diabetes.

Additionally, if you currently use insulin therapy, or if your blood fat levels (triglycerides or total cholesterol) are very high, you wouldn't be suitable for this study. This helps ensure the study is safe for participants and that the results are clear.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Am I between 45 and 75 years old?
Have I had type 2 diabetes for at least one year?
Has my diabetes medication been stable for 3 months or more?
Do I have serious heart, kidney, or lung problems?
Am I currently using insulin for my diabetes?
Are my blood pressure and blood fat levels well-controlled?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you would be asked to participate for a total of 12 weeks. The main activity would involve regularly soaking in warm water at home, as described by the research team. You would also have several visits to the research clinic. These visits would involve assessments to measure how your body handles fats and sugars, your insulin sensitivity, and the health of your blood vessels. This might include giving blood samples and other non-invasive tests.

You would continue to take your regular diabetes medications as prescribed by your doctor throughout the study, but these medications should remain stable. There would be no changes to your current medication made by the study team. The research team would provide detailed instructions and support for the home-based heat therapy and all assessments. The exact number of visits and tests would be clearly explained to you before you agree to take part.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer potential benefits, such as a better understanding of your own health and potentially improved measures of how your body handles sugar and fats, or how well your blood vessels are working. However, there's no guarantee that you will personally benefit. Potential risks are generally low, as the main intervention involves warm water, but could include discomfort from heat or the need for multiple clinic visits and blood tests. You will be fully informed of all known risks before you decide to participate. Remember, your participation is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Centre ÉPIC, Montreal Heart Institute
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of 'heat therapy' will I be doing?

The study involves regularly soaking in warm water at home, similar to taking a warm bath or using a hot tub. You'll get clear instructions on how to do this safely.

Will I need to change my diabetes medicines?

No, you will continue to take your diabetes medications exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The study team will not ask you to change them.

What will happen at the clinic visits?

Clinic visits will involve assessments like giving blood samples and other non-invasive tests to check things like your blood sugar, fat levels, and how your blood vessels are working.

How long will the study last if I join?

The study intervention will last for 12 weeks, during which you'll be doing the home-based heat therapy and attending clinic visits.

What if I feel unwell during the study?

Your safety is very important. You should always tell the research team if you feel unwell at any point. You can also withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

How to find out more

Daniel Gagnon, PhD

daniel.gagnon.3@umontreal.ca 514-374-1480 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.