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Effects of Sauna on Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Function in Patients With HFpEF (SAUNA-HFpEF)

NCT06978868 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 18

Last updated 2025-05-18

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a type of heart failure where the heart pumps normally but patients still experience symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced ability to exercise. Many patients with HFpEF also have muscle weakness and limited mobility, which makes it difficult to follow traditional exercise programs like running or cycling. While there have been improvements in treating other types of heart failure, finding effective options for this specific form remains a challenge.

This study will explore whether bio-sauna bathing-a form of mild heat therapy-can help improve muscle function and exercise ability in patients with HFpEF. Sauna therapy might offer similar benefits to light exercise and could be easier and safer for older patients or those who can't do intense physical activity. The goal of this study is to evaluate whether regular sauna sessions is safe in patients with HFpEF and if it can improve exercise capacity, reduce shortness of breath, and support muscle health in patients with HFpEF.

Conditions

Interventions

OTHER

Sauna Intervention in Clinically Stable Outpatients with HFpEF

Patients were accompanied by study physicians for two sessions weekly, each between 8-15 minutes. We started the first 2 weeks with 8 minutes. Week 3-4: 10 minutes, week 5-6: 12 minutes, week 7-10: 12-15 minutes. Patients were given the freedom to leave the sauna session at any time if they experienced discomfort or were unable to tolerate it. Sessions were done in groups of 5 patients of men or women. The temperature of the sauna was 60°C. After each session, patients were asked to shower with moderate temperature of water and then rest for 20 minutes. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured prior to each session as well as directly after the sauna session and at the end of the rest time.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Tarek Bekfani, MD, MSc · University Hospital Magdeburg

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-10-19
Primary Completion
2024-05-02
Completion
2024-08-16

Countries

  • Germany

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06978868 on ClinicalTrials.gov