Plain-English translation of NCT05366270 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are studying whether Whole Body Hyperthermia—a procedure that safely raises your core body temperature to 38.5°C (about 101°F)—can help reduce depression symptoms. The study will compare people who receive this treatment to people who receive a sham (placebo) version. Researchers believe the heat may reduce inflammation in the body that may be linked to depression.
Some evidence suggests that inflammation in the body may play a role in depression, and that raising body temperature might help reduce this inflammation and improve mood. This trial aims to understand how this treatment works and whether it could become a new option for people with depression.
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You will attend a screening visit and then be randomly assigned to receive either the full heat treatment or a sham treatment using the Heckel device. The study lasts up to 42 days total. You will have your core body temperature raised to 38.5°C during the procedure, and researchers will take blood samples at one hour, 24 hours, and one week afterward to measure inflammation markers. You will also complete depression symptom questionnaires at 7 days, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after treatment.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 26, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Collaborators
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Enrollment target
~60 participants
Started
November 2022
Primary completion
June 2024
This trial's estimated completion date has passed — the record may not be fully up to date.
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in March 2023.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Simmie Foster, MD PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.