NCT05931497Recruiting
Sauna for Long Covid
A Pilot Study of Whole Body Hyperthermia for Long Covid or Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 13 Nov 2025
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Research suggests that Whole Body Hyperthermia in a sauna-like environment can reduce symptoms related to post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or Long Covid. The investigators aim to study the feasibility and treatment effect of this procedure for patients experiencing Long Covid symptoms.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 21 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 30 Jun 2023
- Start date
- 1 Aug 2026
- Primary completion date
- 30 Sept 2026
- Lead sponsor
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Diseases
- Long COVID and ME/CFS
- NCT number
- NCT05931497
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 21
- From 1 Aug 2026 to the primary completion date, 30 Sept 2026
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Positive urine toxicology screen for illicit drug use
- Using medication that might impact thermoregulatory capacity and cannot be held for an appropriate length (at least one half-life) as determined by clinician judgment prior to receiving WBH treatment
- Breast Implants
Other illness
- Fatigue for known reasons other than PASC (e.g. longstanding diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome pre-dating Long Covid, low thyroid, multiple sclerosis, AIDS related fatigue, mononucleosis), as determined by clinical discretion of study investigators
- Known hypersensitivity to infrared heat exposure, significant history of heat stroke
- History of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and/or substance use or dependence (within the last year), as per the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)44
- Any serious unstable medical condition
- Unsafe cardiac status as defined by abnormal ECG reading at screening visit or as determined by study doctor or subject's physician
- History of or current diagnosis of thrombosis or thrombophilia
- History of hemophilia
- History of febrile seizures or seizure disorders
- Any new treatments/medications for long-COVID that have started in the past 3 months
Other
- Breastfeeding, pregnancy or planned pregnancy during study
- Active suicidal intent
- Inability to fit into the sauna device. Morbid obesity (BMI \> 40) and/or body shape that might increase the risk of cutaneous burning from the device (because of skin being too close to the heat).
- Back pain that would interfere with ability to lay on hard surface
- Claustrophobia that would interfere with ability to remain in sauna
- A subject who in the opinion of the Principal Investigator would not be able to safely complete the study or would jeopardize study integrity.
Who the study is looking for
- 18-65 years of age
- English language proficiency
- Ability to provide informed consent
- Ability to lie supine (on back) for 2 hours (required for sauna sessions)
- Must have had clinically suspected COVID-19 and a positive antibody test or a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection (a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test) at least 12 weeks prior to Screening (Note: clinician judgment can override lack of positive COVID test with clear Long Covid onset and presentation)
- The Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Fatigue-Short Form v1.0 -Fatigue 7a (PROMIS F-SF43) raw score of 21 or greater at Screening (onset of fatigue confirmed post-infection as in other studies of PASC)
- Individuals of childbearing potential must use an acceptable form of birth control.
Age in the registry: 18 years to 65 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression Clinical and Research Program Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Boston | United States | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.