Title: ICARUS - Psycho-physiological Profiling of Low and High Heat-resilient Individuals

Sponsor
University of Thessaly
Study ID
NCT07510061
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Heat Stress
  • Heat Tolerance
  • Heat-related Illness
  • Hyperthermia
  • Skin Cancer
  • Ultraviolet Radiation-Related Skin Damage

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 65 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Controlled Heat and Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure Protocol — OTHER
    Participants undergo a standardized 4-hour laboratory-based environmental exposure protocol consisting of passive heat exposure (40°C, 30% relative humidity), simulated solar ultraviolet radiation (up to 3 Standard Erythema Doses), light exercise-induced heat stress using a cycle ergometer, and recovery. Physiological, cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, biochemical, and psychological responses are assessed repeatedly throughout the protocol. The intervention is designed to quantify individual heat tolerance and combined heat-UV physiological strain under controlled conditions.

Study Details

The escalating environmental heat-stress associated with global warming is a societal challenge with large and potential harmful consequences for humans. Excess morbidity and mortality during heat waves provides strong evidence for fatal outcomes. However, it is unclear why some people are particularly vulnerable and get sick from hyperthermia, while others adapt and tolerate exposure. The Icarus project aims to provide a psycho-physiological framework for improved mitigation of the health threats associated with global warming. Combining expertise in integrative thermal physiology, pharmacology, photobiology, psychology and machine learning, we will collaborate on comprehensive cross-scientific studies using controlled lab-exposure combined with investigations in ecological settings including vulnerable and highly tolerant people across populations from northern to southern Europe. Advanced algorithms will be developed to generate personalized alerts and advising based on behavioral patterns, psychological profiling, predicted vulnerability and willingness to adopt resilience-building strategies. Global warming is projected to continue towards the end of the 21st century and constitutes an increasing threat to human health unless we as individuals and collectively become better in preventing acute effects, as well as devise sustainable strategies to limit further anthropogenic warming of the climate system. Acutely, improved guidance is important for both individual and public health, where Icarus aims at providing a highly improved basis for preventing heat-related disease, advising or nudging people towards pro-health behavior, including smarter use of technologies to mitigate heat stress, or adjusting medication to reduce adverse effects during heat events. In support of the sustainability agenda, our framework also forms a novel basis for developing advising algorithms relevant for optimization of climate change mitigation policy-making.

Key Dates

First listed
Apr 3, 2026
Start date
Nov 1, 2025
Status verified
Mar 2026
Primary completion
Apr 30, 2027
Completion
Apr 30, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
80 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SCREENING

Arms

  • Experimental: Standardized Heat and UV Exposure Protocol
    Participants undergo a standardized 4-hour laboratory protocol to assess physiological and psychological responses to controlled heat and ultraviolet radiation exposure. The protocol includes passive heat exposure (40°C, 30% relative humidity), simulated solar UV radiation (up to 3 Standard Erythema Doses), light exercise-induced heat stress, and recovery. Core and skin temperature, cardiovascular and thermoregulatory responses, orthostatic tolerance, echocardiography, blood and urine biomarkers, skin biopsies, motor-cognitive performance, and psychological measures are assessed repeatedly. Subgroup analyses compare participants by geographic location (Denmark vs Greece) and pre-defined heat tolerance status (low vs high).

Primary Outcome Measure

Physiological Heat Tolerance [ Time Frame: During 4-hour laboratory protocol ]

Central Contacts

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