Sauna Detoxification Study: Pilot Feasibility

Summary

Participation Requirements

Description

According to our nationwide survey of Naturopathic Physicians regarding use of detoxification, approximately 80 percent of NDs (Naturopathic Doctors) use some type of detoxification interventions in clinical practice on a regular basis. Of the interventions used, 66% of respondents reported using sa...

According to our nationwide survey of Naturopathic Physicians regarding use of detoxification, approximately 80 percent of NDs (Naturopathic Doctors) use some type of detoxification interventions in clinical practice on a regular basis. Of the interventions used, 66% of respondents reported using sauna therapy. Of the conditions treated, over 80 percent of practitioners use sauna-based detoxification for "general cleansing/preventive medicine." This protocol will utilize a sauna as the primary method of detoxification. Previous studies on hyperthermia-based protocols for detoxification have been methodologically challenged and are not readily reproducible. Furthermore, there are no studies in the literature that identify how long of a protocol is tolerated, is feasible in the general population, or how long is needed to observe PCB (or other pollutant reduction). Therefore, we will employ a "high-dose" protocol and a "low-dose" protocol, based on ranges reported in the literature, in order to evaluate dose-finding outcomes to hyperthermia, including tolerability, retention, and participant-reported outcomes. High Dose Participants randomized to this group will undergo a protocol consisting of 2 hours of sauna therapy per day, for a minimum of 5 days per week, completed in 3 weeks or less (21 days). (15 total sessions, 30 hours of sauna). Participants will be able to schedule visits on any of 7 days per week. Maximum flexibility in hours of operation as well as flexibility in which days are attended will be utilized to increase likelihood of retention. A participant may attend visits for 15 consecutive days, should they wish. Low Dose Participants randomized to this group will undergo a protocol consisting of 1 hour of sauna therapy per day, for a minimum of 3 days per week, completed in 3 weeks or less (21 days). (9 total sessions, 9 hours of sauna). Participants will be able to schedule visits on any of 7 days per week. Maximum flexibility in hours of operation as well as flexibility in which days are attended will be utilized to increase likelihood of retention. Participants will be able to attend 9 consecutive sessions, should they wish.

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