Plain-English translation of NCT05931497 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.
This trial is testing whole-body heat therapy (using a sauna dome) as a potential treatment for Long COVID — the ongoing fatigue and other symptoms some people experience weeks or months after a COVID-19 infection. Researchers will enroll 21 people and randomly assign them to receive either active heat therapy (where your core body temperature is gently raised) or a sham session (mild heat that mimics the real treatment). The study will measure whether the treatment reduces fatigue, improves sleep, and lowers inflammation in the body.
Long COVID is still not well understood, and there are no proven treatments for it yet. Recent research suggests that problems with sleep and inflammation may contribute to Long COVID fatigue. Heat therapy has shown promise in addressing both sleep and inflammation in other conditions, so researchers want to see if it could help Long COVID patients.
You likely qualify if…
You likely don't qualify if…
You will visit the clinic for sauna sessions, during which you'll lie on your back inside a sauna dome while your core body temperature is monitored (one group will be gently heated to 101.3°F, while the other group will experience mild warmth). You'll be followed for 6 weeks total, with the main focus on how you feel at week 2. Researchers will also check your blood work and ask you about your fatigue levels and sleep quality to see if the treatment helps.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 3, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Collaborators
University of California, San Francisco
Enrollment target
~21 participants
Started
August 2026
Primary completion
September 2026
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in November 2025.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Maren Nyer, 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.