An interventional study of Infrared sauna session and Resting condition in Obesity & Overweight, sponsored by University of Prince Edward Island. Recruiting at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 30 Years to 55 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-09.
Sponsored by University of Prince Edward Island · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effect of a single 40-minute sauna session on glucose control in individuals at risk for metabolic impairments.
Research Questions:
Study Design:
Participants will complete two lab visits: one involving a sauna session and one placebo visit (resting condition). Researchers will compare the effects on glucose control using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
What Participants Will Do:
Attend a sauna familiarization session Have a CGM sensor placed on the upper arm Visit the lab twice (once for sauna, once for placebo) Consume three standardized meals at home after each session
At least 72 hours prior to the first trial, participants will complete a familiarization session consisting of two 20-minute infrared sauna exposures. The study employs a randomized crossover design, with each participant completing both experimental conditions-infrared sauna (two 20-minute sessions at 175°F / 79°C, separated by a 5-minute break) and seated rest (two 20-minute periods of quiet sitting, separated by a 5-minute break)-separated by at least 72 hours. On each trial day, participants will arrive at the laboratory at 7:50 a.m. after an overnight fast from 8:00 p.m., with water permitted throughout. Participants will wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) during both trial days. Baseline measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and oral body temperature will be recorded, and food logs reviewed. Following the condition session, a sedentary recovery period will occur until 9:45 a.m., with repeated physiological measurements. Final measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and oral body temperature will be collected prior to a standardized breakfast provided from 9:45 to 10:10 a.m. Participants will depart thereafter by car or public transportation and remain sedentary for the remainder of the day. Meals for the rest of the day, i.e., breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a bedtime snack, will be provided and identical across trial days. Participants will fast again from 9:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. the following morning.
11,522 studies on the registry are indexed under Obesity; 2,033 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 15 is below the median of 67 across 9,006 interventional studies indexed under Obesity.
Browse Obesity studies →University of Prince Edward Island is the lead sponsor of 13 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Are 30-55 years old
Have a of ≥ 27 kg/m2
Have a waist size >102 cm (men) or >88 cm (women)
Have access to transportation for the 2 experimental visits (e.g., car, public transit, or drop-off).
Are cleared for participation based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+).
Exclusion Criteria:
Take medications that affect blood sugar
Exercise intensely 2+ times/week
Have diabetes, heart issues, low blood sugar or pressure
Are pregnant
Regularly use saunas or other heat therapy 1+ times/week
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Infrared sauna session
Other: Infrared sauna session
Seated resting session
Other: Resting condition
Infrared sauna session (approximately 165°F; two 20-minute sessions separated by a 5-minute rest outside the sauna)
Seated resting session (45 minutes outside the sauna)
Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Breakfast)
2-hour postprandial incremental AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized breakfast consumed 45 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.
Time frame: 2 hours
2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Breakfast)
2-hour postprandial AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized breakfast consumed 45 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.
Time frame: 2 hours
Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Lunch)
Incremental 2-hour postprandial AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized lunch consumed 225 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.
Time frame: 2 hours
Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Dinner)
Incremental 2-hour postprandial AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized lunch consumed 435 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.
Time frame: 2 hours
Incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (Bedtime snack)
Incremental 2-hour postprandial AUC of CGM glucose above baseline, measured after the standardized lunch consumed 645 minutes following the sauna or resting (control) session.
Time frame: 2 hours
Average incremental 2-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (4 meals)
Average incremental 2-hour postprandial CGM glucose AUC above baseline, measured after each standardized meal consumed following the sauna or resting (control) session. The incremental AUC for all four meals will be summed and divided by four to calculate the average incremental postprandial response.
Time frame: 2 hours
Time below range
Total time (minutes) during which CGM glucose values remained below 3.9 mmol/L over the 24-hour period following the sauna or resting (control) session.
Time frame: 24 hours
Time above range
Total time (minutes) during which CGM glucose values remained above 7.8 mmol/L over the 24-hour period following the sauna or resting (control) session.
Time frame: 24 hours
Time in range
Total time (minutes) during which CGM glucose values remained between 3.9 and 7.8 mmol/L over the 24-hour period following the sauna or resting (control) session.
Time frame: 24 hours
Session-induced delta glucose
Change in CGM glucose during the 45-minute sauna or resting (control) session, calculated as the difference between post-session and pre-session values (Δ = post - pre).
Time frame: 45 minutes
Fasting glucose
CGM glucose representing fasting levels the morning after the sauna or resting (control) session, computed as the mean glucose over the 15 minutes preceding the standardized breakfast.
Time frame: 15 minutes
Daily mean glucose
CGM glucose average over the 24h period following the sauna or resting (control session).
Time frame: 24 hours
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Dec 2025 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2026, 12 months after the start.
Of 3,680 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Obesity, half reached primary completion within 23 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 43. This study's planned 12 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 3,843 studies reached it within 22 months; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 42.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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University of Prince Edward Island