Cold Water Exposure and Immune Function Study

University of Northern Colorado

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Cold Water Immersion; Muscular Strength; Immune Function; Mental Health

Treatments: Other: Cold Water Immersion (CWI) - Cold Shower (CS); Other: Control Group (CO); Other: Cold Water Immersion (CWI) - Cold Tub Immersion (CI)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06667479

2404058883

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this clinical trial is to explore the effects of a 4 week cold-water immersion (CWI) intervention on measures of immune function, sleep quality, mental health and well-being, and muscular strength. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does a 4 week CWI intervention improve measures of immune function, sleep quality, mental health and well-being, and muscular strength?
• Are there any differences in these measures when comparing cold tubs versus cold showers?

Researchers will compare chronic use of cold tubs to cold showers to see if cold water immersion may improve overall immune health and well-being.

Participants will:

• Undergo 4 weeks of Cold Tub or Cold Shower interventions at a frequency of 3 times a week for 4 minutes, if placed in the CWI intervention groups
• Undergo testing measures at the two pre- and post- intervention time points, if placed in the healthy control group or the CWI intervention groups

Enrollment: 75 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Males and Females
• Aged 18-45

Exclusion criteria

• Currently practices CWI for [>3 times in the last month]
• Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Chronic use of anti-inflammatory medication
• Prior history of chronic disease conditions:
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Raynaud's Disease
• Severe and untreated anxiety or depression

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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75 participants in 3 patient groups

Cold Tub Immersion Group (CI)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will utilize the research cold tub (10 ºC, 4-minutes, 3 times a week), following a standardized protocol (see intervention description).

Treatment:

Other: Cold Water Immersion (CWI) - Cold Tub Immersion (CI)

Cold Shower Group (CS)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will utilize the research shower area (10 ºC, 4-minutes, 3 times a week), following a standardized protocol (see intervention description).

Treatment:

Other: Cold Water Immersion (CWI) - Cold Shower (CS)

Control Group (CO)

Other group

Description:

Participants will not undergo any cold tub or cold shower intervention.

Treatment:

Other: Control Group (CO)