Heat Stress in Individuals With Schizophrenia (NCT07383324)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness affecting approximately 24 million people worldwide and is associated with more than double the all cause mortality risk of the general population. Emerging evidence demonstrates that elevated temperatures acutely worsen mental health symptoms and significantly increase the risk of heat related morbidity and mortality. For people living with schizophrenia, prolonged exposure to heat can exacerbate psychiatric symptoms, impair judgment and decision making, and reduce the ability to engage in protective behaviors such as increasing hydration, reducing clothing, improving ventilation, or seeking cooler environments. As a result, individuals with schizophrenia may experience higher rates of heat related illness. To date our understanding of heat exposure effects in individuals with schizophrenia remains incomplete, hindering the development of evidence-based strategies to protect them. Thus, the primary objective of this exploratory study is to gather preliminary data on the effects of indoor overheating on physiological responses (core body temperature and cardiovascular function), cognitive performance (attention, working memory, and reaction time), and mood in adults with schizophrenia. Specifically, we will assess whether maintaining indoor conditions at the upper recommended temperature limit for older adults (26°C, 45% relative humidity \[RH\]; PMID: 38329752) is sufficient to mitigate physiological strain compared with exposure to a hot indoor environment (36°C, 45% RH) representative of non-air-conditioned homes during extreme heat events in individuals with schizophrenia. In both conditions, the individual will remain seated at rest while wearing light clothing (t shirt and shorts), with the exception of performing 15 minutes of stepping exercise (4-4.5 METS) each hour (excluding the lunch period) to reflect typical daily activities of daily living.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (3 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (4 items).
Location: University of Ottawa — Ottawa, Ontario
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Endurance exercise training (greater than 3 sessions of vigorous exercise training per week for 30 minutes or more)
- Restrictions to physical activity
- Any history of diagnoses for other psychiatric disorders deemed to make participation in the study inadvisable.
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- University of Ottawa — Ottawa, Ontario
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.