120 Day
Cold Exposure Mental Health Protocol
Participants will engage in a daily ice bath regimen designed to evaluate the effects of regular cold exposure on mental well-being. The intervention involves a structured schedule of daily ice baths without any additional assessments using surveys to prevent bias in self-reported outcomes.
- Free Total price
- 3 participants
- 120 Days Duration
- $0.00 Total price
- 3 participants
- 120 Days Duration
Your Participation Makes citizen science possible
Support and engage in groundbreaking studies with Efforia and help unveil what truly enhances well-being
Measure The Results on your Life
This protocol will use the following measurements to see how it is impacting your life as compared to other participants.
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36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36): 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36) Score
The SF-36, or Short Form 36, is a widely used health-related quality of life questionnaire that consists of 36 questions designed to assess a person's physical and mental well-being. It measures various aspects of an individual's health, including physical functioning, role limitations due to physical and emotional problems, social functioning, mental health, energy and vitality, pain, and general health perceptions. The SF-36 provides a comprehensive overview of a person's health status and is frequently used in clinical research, healthcare assessments, and population health studies. Its versatility and ability to assess multiple dimensions of health make it a valuable tool for evaluating the impact of medical interventions and health-related interventions.
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NIH Toolbox® Item Bank v3.0 – Positive Affect Survey (Ages 18+) Score: NIH Toolbox® Item Bank v3.0 – Positive Affect Survey (Ages 18+) Score
This survey assesses your level of positive affect in the past 7 days. Please respond to each question or statement by selecting one option that best describes your feelings or experiences.
A Note from the Protocol Team
Ivan Fedkiv
Protocol Coach
Why I created this challenge: Research and social media both buzz about the benefits of cold exposure, suggesting improvements in mental clarity and mood. Academic studies hint at physiological mechanisms, like increased endorphin levels, that could underpin these benefits. However, robust evidence linking regular ice bath routines to mental health improvements remains sparse. This challenge aims to bridge that gap, providing solid data to support or refute widespread beliefs about the power of cold exposure.
My Objective for You: To systematically assess how a daily regimen of ice baths impacts your mental well-being, using scientifically validated tools like the SF-36 and NIH Positive Affect Survey, over 130 days.
Aims & Objectives: This challenge aims to quantify changes in mental health outcomes, specifically through validated measures of well-being and positive affect. The objectives are to establish a clear link between regular cold exposure and improvements in these metrics or to challenge the existing anecdotal evidence.
Significance & Impact: The significance of this study lies in its potential to scientifically validate or challenge the anecdotal benefits of cold exposure on mental health. Expected outcomes include a clearer understanding of how such practices affect well-being. This challenge, despite its rigorous approach, may face limitations in controlling for external variables that impact mental health, such as lifestyle changes or seasonal effects.
Additional Background Information
Learn more about the importance of this topic and support for our research approach
Protocol Guide & Schedule
Step-by-step coaching to start and maintain your protocol activities, all arranged around your busy day with automated scheduling.
Protocol Introduction
Protocol Overview
10 minutes @ anytime
Baseline Assessments
36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36)
10 minutes @ anytime
Daily Routine
Daily Ice Bath
Repeat 2 times for 10 minutes @ anytime
Follow-up Assessments
36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36)
10 minutes @ anytime
