Compares heated yoga, sauna and a mindfulness app for depression

Trial details

Who runs it

Massachusetts General Hospital

Trial code

NCT07082998

Record updated

6 July 2026

Original description

This project explores whether heated yoga, sauna, and a mindfulness app reduce depressive symptomsRead full original descriptionShow less

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

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

Inclusion: adults (18-65 years old); Ability to provide informed consent; English language proficiency; PHQ-9 score > 10, indicating at least moderate depressive symptoms 21; Must have filled out the waiver for the community-based partners prior to enrolling in the study*; Individuals of childbearing potential must use an acceptable form of birth control; (if applicable) willingness to keep psychiatric medications and psychotherapy stable throughout the course of the study; Must be able to access mindfulness app on a device (i.e., smartphone, iPad, etc.); Can travel to Breathe in Harvard Square and at least one Restore location (i.e., Hingham, Somerville, Dedham, Newton, Lynnfield).

Exclusion: Under the influence or withdrawal of drugs or alcohol; Positive urine toxicology screen due to illicit drug use or other exclusionary medications. (Potential false positives will be addressed on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the PI or designee); have had a bone fracture or joint surgery in the past 6 months; are on medications that make dehydration more likely (e.g., lithium, antipsychotics, insulin-dependent) diuretics, barbiturates, b-blockers, anticholinergics, current ETOH acute intoxication, reduced ability to sweat, hemophilia, pacemaker (magnets used to assemble saunas can interrupt the pacer); antidepressant or psychiatric medications that are initiated less than 8 weeks or a dose change less than 4 weeks prior to screening visit; are currently in active ketamine, Electroconvulsive therapy, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatments; Active eating disorders or substance use disorders within the past 12 months, as per the MINI; History of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, as per the MINI; any serious, unstable medical condition as determined by the revised Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) and do not have approval from their treating physician (we will check in with treating physician in the event that participants endorse any item on the PAR-Q+); psychiatric hospitalization within the past year; diagnosed with any neurological disorders that would impact participation or make participation unsafe; 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); Primary OCD or PTSD, as per the MINI; ≥25% drop in PHQ-9 score from screen to baseline; not able to walk freely or without difficulty; participants must have a healthcare provider who they could contact if they needed medical care, such as a primary care doctor, a counselor, a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner, or a clinic that you go to; Significant exposure to heated yoga classes in the past 3 months (i.e., more than 6 classes); Significant exposure to sauna sessions in the past 3 months (i.e., more than 6 sessions); Significant exposure to mindfulness app in the past 3 months (i.e., more than 6 uses of the app); psychotherapy that has been initiated within the past 3 months; are unable to follow the study procedures (e.g., not able to travel to the heated yoga or sauna studios); A subject who in the opinion of the Principal Investigator would not be able to safely complete the study or would jeopardize study integrity.

Subject Characteristics.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07082998