Participants needed for study about effects of acute sauna therapy on blood sugar
Participants are being sought for a study on the effects of acute sauna therapy on controlling blood sugar levels in individuals who are overweight or living with obesity.
The study is led by Dr. Étienne Myette-Côté, assistant professor of Applied Human Sciences at UPEI.
The purpose of the study is to understand how a single 45-minute infrared sauna session affects blood sugar levels. Participants will complete two sessions (sauna and rest), wear a small blood sugar sensor, and attend a total of three lab visits. All meals for study days will be provided. All sessions take place at the Steel Building, Room #119, UPEI.
“A session in a sauna shares some similar effect as low intensity exercise, for example, increased heart rate, dilation of blood vessels, and maybe lowering blood glucose,” said Dr. Myette-Côté. “We want to know whether a sauna could be used by people at risk of metabolic impairments to lower elevated blood sugar levels over 24 hours.”
Thus far, six people participated in the study, but Dr. Myette-Côté would like to have another nine.
Potential participants may be eligible if they are 30 to 55 years old; have a body mass index equal to or greater than 27 kg/m2; have a waist size greater than 102 cm for men or greater than 88 cm for women; and are cleared for participation based on the results of a physical activity readiness questionnaire.
People are not eligible if they take medications that affect blood sugar; exercise intensely twice a week; have diabetes, heart issues, and low blood sugar or pressure; are pregnant; regularly use saunas or other heat therapy; and consume more than seven alcoholic drinks per week on average.
To find out more about the study, email researchupei@outlook.com
UPEI acknowledges the assistance of Canada’s tri-council of federal granting agencies—Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)—through its Research Support Fund (RSF), which helps fund services and infrastructure that support research activities at the University. In 2026–2027, UPEI’s RSF allocation is $1,399,214.
