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Sauna Visits for Loneliness in Young Adults

This study is testing if weekly sauna visits can help reduce feelings of loneliness in young adults aged 19 to 22. Participants will visit a sauna in San Francisco for two hours each week, either alone or with a friend, for eight weeks. The main goal is to see if participants find this study design acceptable and if they complete the sauna visits and online surveys. Researchers are interested in how well this intervention works because loneliness is common in young adults and can lead to other health problems. Sauna bathing is a practice that may improve mental well-being and social connection.

Study design
This is an interventional study with 15 participants. It is a pilot trial, meaning it's an early study to see if the intervention is feasible and acceptable.
What's involved
You would visit a sauna in San Francisco once a week for two hours for eight weeks. You would also complete online surveys throughout your participation.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoint (Participation Acceptability) is measured at 8 weeks, which is the duration of the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07223099

Sauna for Offline Connections and Interactive, Authentic Living

Recruiting
NAAges 19–25Interventional
University of California, San Francisco
~15 participants
Updated 2026-08-13 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Sauna Visits

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Participation Acceptability
Measured over 8 weeks

Conditions

Loneliness

Explore related trials

Loneliness

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Ashley E Mason, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, San Francisco

Who to contact

SOCIAL Study Team
[email protected]
415-514-8445
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Aged 19-25
English-speaking
Able to provide written informed consent
Graduated from high school or high school equivalent
Elevated level of loneliness
Able and willing to receive study text messages
Able to attend weekly in-person sauna visits in San Francisco, CA

Exclusion

Self-reported heat intolerance
Pregnancy, active lactation, or intention to become pregnant during the study period
Regular use of any nicotine products, including cigarettes, vapes, chewing tobacco, or other forms of nicotine (if use is not regular, must be willing to refrain for 24 hours before and 24 hours after sauna visits)
Current social heat practices 2 or more times per month (e.g., visiting sauna or hot tub facilities with others present)
Unwilling to refrain from using marijuana products and alcohol for the 24 hours before and 24 hours after sauna visits
Unwilling to refrain from heavy exercise on the day of sauna visits
Any medical condition that, in the opinion of investigators, may increase the risk of sauna use or introduce excessive variance into physiological or behavioral responses to sauna visits
Use of any medication that might impact thermoregulatory capacity or that, in the opinion of investigators, would increase risk of study participation or introduce excessive variance into physiological or behavioral responses to sauna visits

What this trial measures

  • Participation Acceptability8 weeks

    Average rating on the following net promoter item: "Thinking about everything that participating in this study involved (completing screening activities, visiting the sauna, doing questionnaires), would you recommend participating in this study to a friend or family member looking to reduce their feelings of loneliness?"