The study explored the feasibility of combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) to treat adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). Conducted by Ashley E. Mason and colleagues, this single-arm trial involved 16 participants with MDD, who initially received 8 weekly CBT sessions and 8 weekly WBH sessions. The researchers aimed to assess the impact of this integrated treatment on depression symptoms, cognitive processes, and mood. The trial was designed to examine not only the feasibility of the combined treatment but also the potential for WBH, a form of heat therapy, to enhance the effects of CBT in alleviating symptoms of depression. The study found that a significant number of participants completed the treatment, and those who attended the final assessment showed marked reductions in depression symptoms, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), with 11 participants no longer meeting the criteria for MDD.
Results from the study suggested that WBH, when combined with CBT, could be an effective adjunctive treatment for depression. Participants who experienced improvements in mood after the first WBH session showed a greater reduction in depression symptoms by the end of the intervention, indicating that mood changes early in the treatment may predict overall success. The study also found improvements in negative automatic thinking, a common cognitive symptom of depression. Although the small sample size and single-arm design limit the generalizability of the findings, the results indicate that combining mind-body therapies, like CBT and WBH, could provide a promising new approach for managing MDD. The study’s success in achieving feasibility supports the need for larger, controlled trials to further explore the benefits of this integrated therapy.
