Ischemic Conditioning to Promote Microvascular Resiliency in Frail Individuals

Launched by MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · Apr 10, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating how small blood vessels in older adults respond to the challenges of high-intensity exercise. Researchers want to see if a safe technique called ischemic conditioning, which involves temporarily restricting blood flow, can help protect these blood vessels during exercise. The study specifically focuses on frail individuals aged 65 to 85 years, who may be at greater risk for complications during physical activity.

Participants will take part in three visits to the research site. During these visits, they will undergo assessments to check their physical condition and frailty, complete exercise tests, and perform special tests to measure their blood vessel function. They will also be given a blood pressure cuff to use at home for two weeks, where they will inflate it to either low or high pressure based on their assigned group. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and eligible individuals must not have certain health conditions, such as recent heart issues or severe obesity, that would make high-intensity exercise unsafe. Overall, the study aims to understand how to better support the health of older adults during physical activity.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Women and men ages 65-85 years of age
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Myocardial infarction in last 6 months
• • morbid obesity (BMI \>40)
• • heart failure
• • uncontrolled hypertension
• • other condition that precludes high intensity exercise (ex, neurological disorder, acute systemic infection)
• • history of blood clots in the extremities
• • any condition in which compression of the arm or transient ischemia is contraindicated (e.g., wounds in the arm).