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Cold water swimming as an add-on treatment for depression. A feasibility study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

P. Hjorth ,
A. Løkke ,
N. Jørgensen ,
A. Jørgensen ,
M. Rasmussen  and
M. Sikjaer
P. Hjorth*
Affiliation:
Region of Southern Denmark, Department Of Psychiatry Vejle, Vejle, Denmark
A. Løkke
Affiliation:
Region of Southern Denmark, Department Of Intern Medicine, Vejle, Denmark
N. Jørgensen
Affiliation:
Region of Southern Denmark, Department Of Psychiatry Vejle, Vejle, Denmark
A. Jørgensen
Affiliation:
Region of Southern Denmark, Department Of Psychiatry Vejle, Vejle, Denmark
M. Rasmussen
Affiliation:
Region of Southern Denmark, Department Of Psychiatry Vejle, Vejle, Denmark
M. Sikjaer
Affiliation:
Region of Southern Denmark, Internal Medicine, Vejle, Denmark
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

In Denmark, about 14% of patients with depression develops treatment resistant depression (TRD) in the following year after the first hospital contact. Possible explanations for TRD include lack of adequate clinical effect of pharmacological treatment and reluctance to treatment due to unacceptable side effects. Cold water swimming (CWS), also known as winter swimming, describes swimming outdoors - mainly during the winter season in cold to ice-cold water on a regular basis. Many winter swimmers believe that exposure to cold water is beneficial for their health. However, evidence of health effects have been anecdotal or based on results from small sample-size studies. The availably studies report that winter swimming abolishes general tiredness, boosts self-esteem and improves mood and/or general well-being.

Objectives

To test if it is possible for patients with depression to participate in two weekly sessions of CWS and to measure the effects of CWS on general well-being and depression among the participating patients.

Methods

All psychiatric in- and outpatients from the department of psychiatry at Little Belt Hospital, Vejle with a diagnose of depression are eligible for inclusion. CWS-sessions will include a dip in an inlet - and if desired a short swim for a few minutes – depending on individual preferences. The CWS sessions will take place at the local inlet at a recreational area with sauna and changing facilities available.

Results

The study starts in October 2021 and we expect to have results by April 2022.

Conclusions

Conclusion: Awaiting.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Keywords

Depressionpreventioncold water swimming
Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 65 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 30th European Congress of Psychiatry , June 2022 , pp. S559 - S560
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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