The Effectiveness of the Wim Hof Method

The Effectiveness of the Wim Hof Method on Cardiac Autonomic Function, Blood Pressure, Arterial Compliance, and Different Psychological Parameters

The Wim Hof Method is a multi-disciplinary approach to physical and mental well-being combining cold exposure, breathing exercises, and meditation. This study evaluated the effects of a 15-day WHM intervention on cardiovascular parameters at rest and during a cold pressor test, as well as on various psychological parameters.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy; Stress; Blood Pressure; Cold Exposure
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Wim Hof Method

Detailed Description

The Wim Hof Method (WHM) is a multi-disciplinary approach to physical and mental well-being combining cold exposure, breathing exercises, and meditation. This study evaluated the effects of a 15-day WHM intervention on cardiovascular parameters at rest and during a cold pressor test (CPT), as well as on various psychological parameters.

42 participants were randomized into an intervention (IG) and a control (CG) group. Throughout the 15-day intervention, the IG performed the WHM daily. The intervention followed the guidelines provided by Wim Hof. The intervention comprised three components: cold water exposure, breathing exercise, and meditation. The participants were instructed to perform the WHM daily over the course of 15 days. The participants could choose when to do so throughout the day, however, the components were to be performed in a strict, sequential order: breathing exercises, followed by meditation, and then cold exposure. Participants were asked to complete a daily log in which they documented whether they performed the procedure and for how long. Altogether, the procedure lasted about 15 minutes. The CG did not receive an intervention throughout the intervention period.

Before and after the intervention, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), heart rate (HR), root mean sum of squared distance (RMSSD), and standard deviation of intervals between successive heartbeats (SDNN) were assessed at rest and during a CPT. Furthermore, perceived stress (PSS), positive affect (PANAS+), negative affect (PANAS-), and subjective vitality (trait (SVSt) and state (SVSs)) was determined.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 42
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Switzerland
  • Bern, Switzerland, 3012
    • University of Bern

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being male
• No underlying health conditions
• Not using antihypertensive or other cardiovascular medications
• Not engaging in regular exercise training
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having prior experience with any of the components of the intervention (breathing, meditation, or cold exposure)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention; The intervention group was instructed to perform the Wim Hof Method daily over the course of 15 days. The participants could choose when to do so throughout the day, however, the components were to be performed in a strict, sequential order: breathing exercises, followed by meditation, and then cold exposure. Participants were asked to complete a daily log in which they documented whether they performed the procedure and for how long. Altogether, the procedure lasted about 15 minutes.	Behavioral: Wim Hof Method; The intervention followed the guidelines provided by Wim Hof. The intervention comprised three components: cold water exposure, breathing exercise, and meditation.The participants were instructed to perform the WHM daily over the course of 15 days. The participants could choose when to do so throughout the day, however, the components were to be performed in a strict, sequential order: breathing exercises, followed by meditation, and then cold exposure. Participants were asked to complete a daily log in which they documented whether they performed the procedure and for how long. Altogether, the procedure lasted about 15 minutes.
No Intervention: Control; The control group received noch intervention throughout the intervention period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline in the mean systolic blood pressure	Participants were instructed to rest in a supine position for 10 minutes prior to the measurement. At least two readings were taken on the right upper arm, using custom-fitted arm cuffs.	15 days
Change from baseline in the mean diastolic blood pressure	Participants were instructed to rest in a supine position for 10 minutes prior to the measurement. At least two readings were taken on the right upper arm, using custom-fitted arm cuffs.	15 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline in the mean pulse wave velocity	Participants were instructed to rest in a supine position for 10 minutes prior to the measurement. At least two readings were taken on the right upper arm, using custom-fitted arm cuffs.	15 days
Change from baseline in the mean heart rate variability	Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured using a heart rate monitor and chest strap. Participants were instructed to empty their bladder before the measurement, which was conducted after a 5-minute supine rest period with a stabilized HRV signal. The measurement consisted of a 5-minute recording of intervals between successive heartbeats at a 1000 Hz sampling rate. Participants were instructed to breathe normally, remain quiet, and maintain a calm state throughout the measurement.	15 days
Change from baseline in positive affect	The German version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule was used.	15 days
Change from baseline in negative affect	The German version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule was used.	15 days
Change in subjective vitality	The German 6-item Version of the Subjective Vitality Scale was used.	15 days

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Bern
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sascha Ketelhut, PhD, University of Bern

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 30, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): September 30, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 30, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 30, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): June 8, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 8, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 30, 2023
• Last Verified: May 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Meditation; Blood pressure; Cold exposure; Perceived stress; Hemodynamics; Heart rate variability; Breathing-method
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2022-04-00004

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: All raw data are available on request to the corresponding author.
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: After the publication of the results for 5 years.
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: PErsonal contact with corresponding author.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

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