Perceptions of Passive Heating in Individuals With T2DM

An Exploration of People's Perceptions of Undertaking Passive Heating as a Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Current treatments for type 2 diabetes (e.g., lifestyle changes and clinical interventions such as medication), have been shown to be unsustainable due to low levels of physical activity and increasing clinical costs. Therefore, scientists have been looking for new treatments to address this issue. One such treatment that is being investigated is passive heating (e.g., hot baths, saunas, etc.). In this study the investigators want to ascertain what passive heating, if any, individuals with T2DM currently do, what their perceptions of passive heating would be if it were to become a treatment, what may make it easier or more difficult for them to engage in passive heating, and how this might impact other areas of their life such as physical activity.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Interview

Detailed Description

This study employs an interpretivist approach through semi-structured interviews to highlight participants' perceptions of and experiences with passive heating. To date, this topic has not been explored in-depth - this approach should bring nuance and context to light, aiding in future advocacy work which explores the potential of passive heating as a viable treatment for adults with T2DM.

Semi-structured interviews will be facilitated by an interview guide consisting of four main topic areas aiming to explore an individual's perception of and experience with passive heating as a treatment for T2DM and to ascertain whether engaging in this behaviour may affect physical activity. As no two conversations are ever the same, the approach to the interviews is one of flexibility through the use of open-ended questions and potential probes as the situation dictates - remaining open to following particular lines of participant thought.

Interviews will all be conducted by the Principal investigator, Mr Thomas James, a doctoral researcher who has been trained in the required skills. He has also undertaken necessary training in Good Clinical Practice and Valid Informed Consent. Interviews will be conducted virtually, by telephone or in person and will take place either at home or in a laboratory setting, dependent upon the individual's wishes. The interviews will be audio recorded and subsequently transcribed verbatim by a member of the research team. Transcriptions will be analysed via thematic analysis to determine the main themes expressed by participants. All data analysis will be conducted by a trained member of the research team.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 11

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • Hampshire
    • Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom, PO1 2ER
      • Department of Sport and Exercise Science

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults with T2DM

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 years or older
• Willing and able to undertake the interview process
• Able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 years
• Does not provide written informed consent
• Any neurological/psychiatric diagnoses
• Lack of fluency in English

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
T2DM; Individuals with T2DM.	Other: Interview; Interview with individuals with T2DM

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Explore bathing and spa behaviour by applying the social-ecological model to interpretivist thematic analysis.	To explore the current bathing and spa behaviours among individuals living with T2DM and their perceptions regarding passive heating as a treatment.	~1 hour interview

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Explore perceived facilitators and barriers to passive heating by applying the social-ecological model to interpretivist thematic analysis.	To explore how participants perceive as the facilitators and barriers to engaging in passive heating within and outside the home.	~1 hour interview
Explore how passive heating might impact physical activity by applying the social-ecological model to interpretivist thematic analysis.	To explore how engaging in passive heating might impact the physical activity of individuals with T2DM.	~1 hour interview

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Portsmouth
• Collaborators: Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 28, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 21, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): March 21, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 20, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 16, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): August 23, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 21, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 20, 2023
• Last Verified: April 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Passive heating
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Endocrine System Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
• Other Study ID Numbers: 008AS

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No