Feasibility and Acceptability of an Integrated Mind-body Intervention for Depression: Whole-body Hyperthermia (WBH) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Overview

Journal Int J Hyperthermia

Publisher Informa Healthcare

Specialties Oncology
Pharmacology

Date 2024 May 14

PMID 38743265

Authors

Ashley E Mason

Anoushka Chowdhary

Wendy Hartogensis

Chelsea J Siwik

Osnat Lupesko-Persky

Leena S Pandya

Stefanie Roberts

Claudine Anglo

Patricia J Moran

J Craig Nelson

Christopher A Lowry

Rhonda P Patrick

Charles L Raison

Frederick M Hecht

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the feasibility of an integrated mind-body MDD treatment combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and whole-body hyperthermia (WBH).

Methods: In this single-arm trial, 16 adults with MDD initially received 8 weekly CBT sessions and 8 weekly WBH sessions. Outcomes included WBH sessions completed (primary), self-report depression assessments completed (secondary), and pre-post intervention changes in depression symptoms (secondary). We also explored changes in mood and cognitive processes and assessed changes in mood as predictors of overall treatment response.

Results: Thirteen participants (81.3%) completed 4 WBH sessions (primary outcome); midway through the trial, we reduced from 8 weekly to 4 bi-weekly WBH sessions to increase feasibility. The = 12 participants who attended the final assessment visit completed 100% of administered self-report depression assessments; all enrolled participants ( = 16) completed 89% of these assessments. Among the = 12 who attended the final assessment visit, the average pre-post-intervention BDI-II reduction was 15.8 points (95% CI: -22.0, -9.70), 0.0001, with 11 no longer meeting MDD criteria (secondary outcomes). Pre-post intervention improvements in negative automatic thinking, but not cognitive flexibility, achieved statistical significance. Improved mood from pre-post the initial WBH session predicted pre-post treatment BDI-II change (36.2%; = 0.60, = 0.038); mood changes pre-post the first CBT session did not.

Limitations: Small sample size and single-arm design limit generalizability.

Conclusion: An integrated mind-body intervention comprising weekly CBT sessions and bi-weekly WBH sessions was feasible. Results warrant future larger controlled clinical trials. NCT05708976.

Citing Articles

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PMID: 39967803 PMC: 11832498. DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2025.1475376.

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