Thermodynamic Exposure and Sleep in Military Cadets

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: High Heat Sauna; Combination of Cold-water Immersion and High Heat Sauna; Cold-water Immersion

Treatments: Behavioral: High Heat Sauna; Behavioral: Cold Water Immersion

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07201935

Pro00147353

Details and patient eligibility

About

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

Full 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, glymphatic function, and psycho-affective health will be assessed using validated wearable devices and questionnaires. The study aims to identify intervention-specific improvements in sleep and glymphatic clearance.

Enrollment: 45 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18 - 30 years of age
• Member of the Ranger Challenge group at The Citadel.
• Access to a smartphone with access to appropriate app marketplace (Apple iOS 15, Android 8.0 or newer) and reliable data access.
• Ability to access and operate Oura Ring application

Exclusion criteria

• Medical contraindications to continuous wearing of the Oura Ring.
• Current diagnosis of neurological, cardiovascular, and/or sleep disorder.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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45 participants in 3 patient groups

Cold-water immersion

Experimental group

Description:

5 minutes of cold-water immersion (submerged up to chin) at 8 - 10C°(46.4 - 50F°) in the morning between 6:00 - 8:00am.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cold Water Immersion

High heat sauna

Experimental group

Description:

20 minutes of high heat sauna at 90 - 94C° (190 - 201.2F°) between 5:00 - 7:00pm

Treatment:

Behavioral: High Heat Sauna

Combination

Experimental group

Description:

5 minutes of cold-water immersion (submerged up to chin) at 8 - 10C°(46.4 - 50F°) in the morning between 6:00 - 8:00am and 20 minutes of high heat sauna at 90 - 94C° (190 - 201.2F°) between 5:00 - 7:00pm

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cold Water Immersion

Behavioral: High Heat Sauna