Whole-body hyperthermia as a novel antidepressant therapy

First-line treatments for major depressive disorder include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. While effective, pharmacotherapy often takes time to start demonstrating efficacy in symptomatic improvement and may be accompanied by adverse effects, indicating an ongoing need for new therapeutic approaches. A recently emerging somatic antidepressant intervention is whole-body hyperthermia, in which subjects are temporarily exposed to heat and then allowed to cool down. Recent studies employing hyperthermia-based strategies appear to show mood improvements both immediately and several weeks after the conclusion of treatment. However, published studies are often limited by their sample sizes and by their selection criteria. In this article, we review the literature on this novel approach and propose ideas regarding the possible physiological basis of this novel intervention and how it may be used in the future as adjunctive therapy with the current standard of care. • We review recent advances in whole-body hyperthermia treatments for major depressive disorder. • Studies have shown immediate and persistent improvements in mood symptoms. • Studies are often limited by small sample sizes and selection criteria for subjects.