Can Cold Water Swimming Help Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression?
This Danish feasibility study is testing that question. About 14% of depression patients develop treatment-resistant depression within a year of their first hospital contact. Researchers at Little Belt Hospital are investigating whether twice-weekly cold water swimming sessions could help these patients.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a major challenge in psychiatry. Some patients don’t respond adequately to medications. Others stop taking their medication because of unacceptable side effects. This has led researchers to explore alternative approaches, including cold water swimming.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
I find this study important because it focuses on patients who have already failed standard treatment. These are the people who need new options the most. The anecdotal reports from winter swimmers are encouraging, but we need systematic research. This feasibility study will tell us whether psychiatric patients can actually participate in a cold water swimming program and whether it helps their symptoms and well-being.
Study Background
Cold water swimming, also known as winter swimming, means swimming outdoors in cold to ice-cold water on a regular basis, mainly during winter. Many winter swimmers believe the practice benefits their health. However, most evidence so far has been anecdotal or from small studies.
Previous research has reported that winter swimming:
- Reduces general tiredness
- Boosts self-esteem
- Improves mood
- Enhances general well-being
The researchers want to test whether these benefits apply to patients with diagnosed depression.
Study Design
Location: Department of Psychiatry at Little Belt Hospital, Vejle, Denmark
Participants: All psychiatric inpatients and outpatients with a diagnosis of depression are eligible
Intervention: Two cold water swimming sessions per week. Each session includes:
- A dip in an inlet (a body of water connected to the sea)
- Optional short swim for a few minutes
- Duration based on individual preferences
- Access to sauna and changing facilities at the recreational area
Timeline: The study started in October 2021, with results expected by April 2022
Why Treatment-Resistant Depression?
In Denmark, about 14% of patients with depression develop treatment-resistant depression in the year following their first hospital contact. This means their depression doesn’t respond well to standard treatments.
Possible explanations include:
- Lack of adequate response to medications
- Reluctance to continue treatment due to side effects
- Need for additional or alternative approaches
For these patients, having another option could make a significant difference.
What the Study Will Measure
The researchers want to know:
- Can patients with depression actually participate in twice-weekly cold water swimming?
- Does cold water swimming improve general well-being?
- Does it reduce depression symptoms?
This is a feasibility study, meaning it will determine whether a larger, more definitive trial is practical and worthwhile.
Practical Takeaways
- Cold water swimming is being studied as a potential add-on treatment for depression
- This approach may be especially relevant for treatment-resistant cases
- The study tests whether psychiatric patients can actually participate in this type of program
- Results will determine if larger trials are warranted
Related Studies and Research
- Related Podcast Episode
- Meta-analysis: cold-water immersion after exercise and fatigue recovery
- SAFETY, ARRHYTHMIAS, AND “AUTONOMIC CONFLICT”
- The trigeminocardiac reflex: comparison with the diving reflex
- OUTdoor swimming as an intervention for depression and anxiety (feasibility)
FAQs
What is treatment-resistant depression?
Depression that doesn’t respond adequately to standard treatments like medication and therapy. In Denmark, about 14% of depression patients develop this within a year of their first hospital contact.
How often would patients swim?
The study involves two cold water swimming sessions per week, with the duration and intensity based on individual preferences and comfort levels.
Is there evidence that cold water swimming helps depression?
Previous small studies and anecdotal reports suggest winter swimming may improve mood and well-being. This study will provide more systematic evidence specifically for patients with diagnosed depression.
Bottom Line
This Danish feasibility study represents an important step in evaluating cold water swimming as a potential add-on treatment for depression. With about 14% of patients developing treatment-resistant depression, there’s a clear need for additional therapeutic options. The study will test whether twice-weekly cold water swimming sessions are feasible for psychiatric patients and whether they improve well-being and reduce symptoms. Results from this feasibility study will determine whether larger clinical trials are warranted.
