Observational studyThe Journal of international medical research2022
A novel Wim Hof psychophysiological training program to reduce stress responses during an Antarctic expedition.
Observational study in The Journal of international medical research, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 15 citations in OpenAlex.
- Cold-water exposure and psychological outcomes in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in physiology · 2026Pooled it
- Pooled it
- The effect of breathing exercises and mindset with or without cold exposure on mental and physical health in persons with a spinal cord injury-Results of a randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitation · 2026Trial
- A semi-randomised control trial assessing psychophysiological effects of breathwork and cold immersion.Scientific reports · 2025Trial
- Effects of brief remote high ventilation breathwork with retention on mental health and wellbeing: a randomised placebo-controlled trial.Scientific reports · 2024Trial
- The effectiveness of the Wim Hof method on cardiac autonomic function, blood pressure, arterial compliance, and different psychological parameters.Scientific reports · 2023Trial
- A randomized controlled clinical trial of a Wim Hof Method intervention in women with high depressive symptoms.Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology · 2024Article
- Article
- The Effect of Mindset and Breathing Exercises on Physical and Mental Health in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury-A Pilot Feasibility Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThe aim of this prospective observational study was to investigate the effects of a novel Wim Hof psychophysiological training program on stress responses and hormone release in healthy participants during an Antarctic expedition.
methodsAll members of an Antarctic expedition were included in the study. The participants were healthy volunteers allocated to an intervention group (n = 6) and a control group (n = 7). The intervention consisted of 8 weeks of Wim Hof training. The training program comprised three integrated parts: breathing exercises, cold exposure and meditation. Psychometric measures (the Beck Depression Inventory and the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40) and neuroendocrine measures (cortisol, melatonin) were assessed pre- and post-intervention.
resultsThe results showed that the 8-week training program significantly reduced stress responses, as indicated by a reduction in depressive symptoms. A non-significant reduction in cortisol was also observed.
conclusionsThese data constitute preliminary findings indicating that the Wim Hof Method may positively affect stress symptoms and adaptability of the hormonal system to respond adequately to the circadian rhythm in healthy volunteers who participated in an Antarctic expedition.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.