Recruiting

Lower-Body Heat Therapy

Sponsor:

University of Nebraska

Code:

NCT06928116

Conditions

Long COVID

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 50 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Heat therapy

Sham Control

Walking

Study Details

Brief summary:

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) is becoming a major risk factor for chronic diseases, with older adults and those with underlying health conditions at risk of developing persistent mobility limitations and disabilities. Although exercise intervention is a common strategy to restore functional capacity, it may not be feasible or enticing to many people with PASC. This clinical trial seeks to establish the tolerability and efficacy of at home lower-body heat therapy for improving functional capacity along with metabolic and vascular health in late-middle aged and older adults with PASC, also known as "long COVID".

Conditions

Long COVID

Study ID

NCT06928116

Start date

Jan 16, 2025

Status verified date

Jul, 2025

Completion date

Aug, 2029

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Aug 31, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 50 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Between the ages of 50 and 90 years
  • Free from orthopedic limitations that would prohibit performing leg exercise
  • BMI < 40 kg/m2 and weigh < 400lbs
  • Previously contracted Covid-19 and have persistent symptoms such as a fatigue or decline in physical function, for at least 2 months following SARS-CoV-2 infection

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Unable to give written informed consent
  • Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or likely to become pregnant within the next 6 months
  • Women who are taking hormone therapy
  • Claustrophobia
  • Orthopedic limitations that would prohibit them from walking
  • Currently enrolled in an exercise-based or respiratory muscle rehabilitation program.

Study Design

Enrollment

99 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Heat Therapy

At home heat therapy 5 times (40-55 min) per week for 8 weeks.

sham comparator: Control Therapy

Sham at home thermoneutral therapy 5 times (40-55 min) per week for 8 weeks.

active comparator: Walking Intervention Using Wearable Technology

+1,500-3000 steps per day 3-5 days a week for 8 weeks.

Interventions

Heat therapy

At home lower body heat therapy

Sham Control

Sham Thermoneutral

Walking

Walking intervention

Primary outcome measure

  • 6 min walking distance [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ]
  • Short Physical Performance Battery Test [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ]
  • Arterial stiffness [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Gwenael Layec, PhD

402-554-3779unovrl@unomaha.edu

Locations

University of Nebraska Omaha

Recruiting

Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68182

Contacts

Gwenael Layec, PhD

402-554-3779unovrl@unomaha.edu

More Information

Sponsor

University of Nebraska

Last update posted

Jul 17, 2026

Last verified

Jul, 2025

Keywords

  • Heat Therapy
  • mobility limitations
  • Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC)

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Nebraska on 2026-07-17.