Effects of Sauna on Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Function in Patients With HFpEF (SAUNA-HFpEF)

NCT ID: NCT06978868

Last Updated: 2025-05-18

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 18 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-10-19
• Study Completion Date: 2024-08-16

Brief Summary

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a type of heart failure where the heart pumps normally but patients still experience symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced ability to exercise. Many patients with HFpEF also have muscle weakness and limited mobility, which makes it difficult to follow traditional exercise programs like running or cycling. While there have been improvements in treating other types of heart failure, finding effective options for this specific form remains a challenge.

This study will explore whether bio-sauna bathing-a form of mild heat therapy-can help improve muscle function and exercise ability in patients with HFpEF. Sauna therapy might offer similar benefits to light exercise and could be easier and safer for older patients or those who can't do intense physical activity. The goal of this study is to evaluate whether regular sauna sessions is safe in patients with HFpEF and if it can improve exercise capacity, reduce shortness of breath, and support muscle health in patients with HFpEF.

Detailed Description

The aim of the study is to test the safety and efficacy of intermittent hyperthermia (sauna) in a pilot study on patients with HfpEF regarding cardiac function, exercise capacity, skeletal muscle structure and function, metabolomic changes, and quality of life both at baseline and after the intervention with sauna.

Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that intermittent hyperthermia (sauna) is a feasible intervention in patients with HFpEF. Explorative, the effect of the intervention on filling pressure (E/é) as well as on the level of NT-pro-BNP, will be tested. Peripherally, skeletal muscle function (including metabolic and mitochondrial function) and structure. Finally, the effects of the intervention on QoL will be tested.

Questions to be answered through our investigation,

1. Is hyperthermia intervention (sauna) feasible in patients with HF?

2. Does sauna improve exercise capacity? (CPET, 6MWT, skeletal muscle strength and endurance).

3. Does sauna improve cardiac function (Echocardiography).

4. Understanding the related pathophysiology of the observed results on skeletal muscle and exercise capacity on molecular and mitochondrial level (skeletal muscle biopsies and the following tissue analysis parallel to blood analysis).

5. The role of inflammation in the altered muscle structure and function and its possible reversibility through sauna.

6. Observing changes in QoL and mental health (depression and anxiety).

The results of this study will be supportive in planning the randomised controlled clinical trial.

The intervention was twice weekly for a period of 10 weeks. : All participants will undergo a standardized series of assessments such as echocardiogram, CPET, 6-MWT, muscle strength measurements, and skeletal muscle biopsies. In case of clinical improvement, these benefits are likely to diminish over time if sauna bathing is discontinued. To address this, patients will be invited for a follow-up visit three months after completing the intervention. All investigations will be repeated, except for the skeletal muscle biopsy.

Conditions

Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Clinically stable outpatients with HFpEF

All participants will be accompanied by medical doctors for two sessions weekly, each between 8-15 minutes. The intervention will be done in the NEMO-sauna in Magdeburg. The duration of the intervention will be 10 weeks. We will start the first 2 weeks with 8 minutes. Week 3-4: 10 minutes, week 5-6: 12 minutes, week 7-10: 12-15 minutes. Sessions will be done in groups each consisting of 5 patients. The temperature of the sauna will be 60°C. After each session a cold shower will follow and then rest for 20 minutes. Blood pressure, heart frequency, O2-Saturation will be measured prior to each session as well as directly after the shower and at the end of the rest.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Sauna Intervention in Clinically Stable Outpatients with HFpEF

Intervention Type: OTHER

Patients were accompanied by study physicians for two sessions weekly, each between 8-15 minutes. We started the first 2 weeks with 8 minutes. Week 3-4: 10 minutes, week 5-6: 12 minutes, week 7-10: 12-15 minutes. Patients were given the freedom to leave the sauna session at any time if they experienced discomfort or were unable to tolerate it. Sessions were done in groups of 5 patients of men or women. The temperature of the sauna was 60°C. After each session, patients were asked to shower with moderate temperature of water and then rest for 20 minutes. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured prior to each session as well as directly after the sauna session and at the end of the rest time.

Interventions

Sauna Intervention in Clinically Stable Outpatients with HFpEF

Patients were accompanied by study physicians for two sessions weekly, each between 8-15 minutes. We started the first 2 weeks with 8 minutes. Week 3-4: 10 minutes, week 5-6: 12 minutes, week 7-10: 12-15 minutes. Patients were given the freedom to leave the sauna session at any time if they experienced discomfort or were unable to tolerate it. Sessions were done in groups of 5 patients of men or women. The temperature of the sauna was 60°C. After each session, patients were asked to shower with moderate temperature of water and then rest for 20 minutes. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured prior to each session as well as directly after the sauna session and at the end of the rest time.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• NYHA class II or III, clinically stable in the previous three months
• Females and males, age >50 years
• Left ventricular EF >50%, and at least 2 of the following: left atrial volume index (LAVI ≥34ml/m2) or E/e' >9 or interventricular septal thickness >12mm or pulmonary arterial pressure >35mmHg (noninvasive measurement) for HFpEF as recommended according to the ESC-HF-guidelines.
• Stable on standard HF medication according to the ESC-HF guidelines in the last 4 weeks

Exclusion Criteria

• Major cardiovascular event or procedure such as myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), aortocoronary bypass operation in the previous 3 months.
• Patients who have an indication for dual platelet inhibition
• Stroke
• Patients with mechanical heart valves or implanted cardiac devices
• Pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis
• Patients with altered or reduced sweat function, such as in autoimmune diseases, spinal cord injuries or Fabry disease
• Symptomatic hypotension regardless of the measured value and those with BP systolic <110 mm Hg
• Patients on oral anticoagulation for other reasons than atrial fibrillation
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c>8%), severe renal dysfunction, GFR<30ml/min) or pulmonary disease (COPD GOLD ≥3)
• Primary muscle disorder (e.g., muscular dystrophies)
• Neurological disease (e.g., Dementia or Parkinson syndrome)
• Right ventricular dysfunction or uncontrolled arrhythmias
• Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator could prohibit performance of 6MWT

• Minimum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Tarek Bekfani

Associate Professor Tarek Bekfani, MD, MSc (Oxon.), FESC, FHFA

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Tarek Bekfani, MD, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University Hospital Magdeburg

Locations

Otto von Guericke University, Faculty of Medicine

Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Countries

Germany

Provided Documents

Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Other Identifiers

61/23

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id