Hot-Water Footbaths to Test Heart Benefits for People With COPD
Tests hot-water footbaths for blood flow and blood pressure in adults with COPD.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Passive Heat Therapy for People With COPD
Key facts
- Where
- Kelowna, CanadaSee the site
Where in Canada
- University of British ColumbiaKelowna, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of British Columbia
- Trial code
- NCT05962164
- Record updated
- 4 April 2025
- Original description
People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often develop high blood pressure and heart disease due to their sedentary lifestyle and difficulty exercising. The investigators will test if heating can mimic the health benefits of exercise by monitoring the increase in leg blood-flow using ultrasound during a 45-minute hot-water footbath. The patients will then undergo 6-weeks of hot-water footbaths to examine whether the changes to blood-flow lead to improvements in blood pressure and other indicators of heart disease risk.Read full original descriptionShow less
The Acute and Chronic Benefits of Passive Heat Therapy for People With COPD
People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often develop high blood pressure and heart disease due to their sedentary lifestyle and difficulty exercising. The investigators will test if heating can mimic the health benefits of exercise by monitoring the increase in leg blood-flow using ultrasound during a 45-minute hot-water footbath. The patients will then undergo 6-weeks of hot-water footbaths to examine whether the changes to blood-flow lead to improvements in blood pressure and other indicators of heart disease risk.
Inclusion: Non-smoking individuals; >40 years of age; Stable (exacerbation free for >6 weeks), moderate-to-severe COPD (post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <lower limit of normal and FEV1 z-score <2.51).
Exclusion: Have advanced cardiac or cerebrovascular disease (i.e. a history of heart failure, previous stroke or myocardial infarction); Have uncontrolled hypertension (>160/95 mmHg at rest); Performing structured exercise training (i.e. pulmonary rehabilitation); Have hypotension (<110/60 mmHg); Are taking Beta Blockers; Regularly (>1/week) have hot baths (>30 min) or use a hot tub or sauna; Have resting blood pressure > 150/95 mmHg; On supplemental oxygen for hypoxemia; Musculoskeletal pain that limits their ability to perform stationary cycling.