Comparing the Efficacy of Heated Yoga and Sauna as a Treatment for Depression

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-65
SponsorMassachusetts General Hospital

About this trial

This project explores whether heated yoga, sauna, and a mindfulness app reduce depressive symptoms

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

adults (18-65 years old)

Ability to provide informed consent

English language proficiency

PHQ-9 score > 10, indicating at least moderate depressive symptoms 21

Disqualifiers

Pregnant or planning to become pregnant

Breast feeding

Active suicidal thinking (i.e., PHQ-9 item 9 ≥1 and a positive response to C-SSRS screener items 3, 4, 5, or 6)

Active eating disorders or substance use disorders within the past 12 months, as per the MINI

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • heated yoga
  • sauna
  • mindfulness app

Treatment groups

120 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators