None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of heat therapy on taha tinana (physical health; specifically, 24-h blood pressure) in patients with hypertension. Secondary outcomes will assess the effect on taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing), taha whanau (family health) and taha hinengaro (mental health). A randomised cross-over study will recruit 10 participants who are currently taking at least one anti-hypertensive medication. They will complete 4 sessions: 1) 20-min hot water immersion (40°C), 2) 40-min hot water immersion (40°C), 3) 40-min thermoneutral water immersion (~36°C, to establish the role of the water temperature specifically), and 4) control (no exposure). Physiological measures will be taken during exposure to characterise the stimulus. Following each exposure participants will be fitted with an ambulatory blood pressure monitor (and accelerometer to standardise activity levels) for the following 24 h to quantify the magnitude and duration of post-session hypotension.
Interventions
All participants will complete 3 water immersion sessions and a control session (in a randomised order): 1) 20-min hot-water immersion (40°C), 2) 40-min hot-water immersion (40°C), 3) 40-min thermoneutral-water immersion (~36°C, to establish the role of the water temperature specifically).
There will be a 7-day washout between exposures.
1. 20-min hot-water immersion (40°C)
Location: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences Aquatic Facility (University of Otago, Dunedin).
Supe
All participants will complete 3 water immersion sessions and a control session (in a randomised order): 1) 20-min hot-water immersion (40°C), 2) 40-min hot-water immersion (40°C), 3) 40-min thermoneutral-water immersion (~36°C, to establish the role of the water temperature specifically). There will be a 7-day washout between exposures. 1. 20-min hot-water immersion (40°C) Location: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences Aquatic Facility (University of Otago, Dunedin). Supervision: This session will be supervised by an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) registered clinical exercise physiologist (CEP), and the PI or a research assistant; all supervising researchers are first aid trained. Attendance and session particulars (e.g., physiological indices etc.) will be recorded at each session by the supervising researcher. Exposure: Participants will complete a single 20-min hot water immersion session in 40 °C water. Participants will be seated upright with water approximately nipple level. Duration: 20 min. 2. 40-min hot-water immersion (40°C) Location: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences Aquatic Facility (University of Otago, Dunedin). Supervision: This session will be supervised by an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) registered clinical exercise physiologist (CEP), and the PI or a research assistant; all supervising researchers are first aid trained. Attendance and session particulars (e.g., physiological indices etc.) will be recorded at each session by the supervising researcher. Exposure: Participants will complete a single 40-min hot water immersion session in 40 °C water. Participants will be seated upright with water approximately nipple level. Duration: 40 min. 3. 40-min thermoneutral-water immersion (~36°C) Location: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences Aquatic Facility (University of Otago, Dunedin). Supervision: This session will be supervised by an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) registered clinical exercise physiologist (CEP), and the PI or a research assistant; all supervising researchers are first aid trained. Attendance and session particulars (e.g., physiological indices etc.) will be recorded at each session by the supervising researcher. Exposure: Participants will complete a single 40-min thermo-neutral water immersion session in ~36 °C water. Participants will be seated upright with water approximately nipple level. Duration: 40 min.
Sponsors
University of Otago
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
35 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants will be screened as per criteria listed below: Inclusion criteria: - Aged > 35 y or older - Prescribed and regularly taking at least 1 anti-hypertensive medication - Patient gives written consent - Patient is able to travel to the study centre to complete all sessions.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: - Aged < 35 y - Contraindication to maximal exercise testing (see Appendix) - Unstable angina - Recent myocardial infarction (< 3 months ago) - History of orthostatic intolerance/hypotension - Current pregnancy - New anti-hypertensive pharmaceutical initiated recently - Any other medical condition deemed a significant risk to study participation.
Outcome results
None listed