Walking Program for High Blood Pressure

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byDuck-chul Lee, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Iowa State University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of an 8-week walking program on blood pressure in inactive older adults with respiratory impairment, a condition where lung function is sub-optimal for a person's age. Older adults with respiratory impairment have greater risks of death by cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to those without respiratory impairment, and this may be partly driven by higher resting blood pressure. One way to lower blood pressure is to increase the number of daily steps achieved throughout the course of everyday life ('lifestyle steps'), and previous research shows that an additional 3,000 lifestyle steps/day is effective for achieving this. However, whether an increase in daily lifestyle steps is effective for reducing blood pressure in senior-community dwelling older adults with respiratory impairment is unknown. Understanding how increasing daily steps impacts blood pressure in this understudied population is important for informing future strategies for tackling cardiovascular disease risk in those with lung dysfunction.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for inactive adults aged 65+ with respiratory issues and high blood pressure (systolic 120-159 mmHg), who are non-smokers, have a BMI <42kg/m2, and take fewer than 7,000 steps daily. They must be willing to increase their walking but can't join if they've had recent serious health events like stroke or heart attack, use oxygen supplements, or have mobility-limiting conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

You don't move around much, as shown by counting your steps over a week and having less than 7,000 steps per day on average.

I am 65 years old or older.

My lung function test shows I have breathing problems.

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Exclusion Criteria

I have a condition like severe arthritis that makes it hard for me to walk more each day.

I have a neurological condition like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.

I was hospitalized for a lung-related illness in the last 3 months.

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Treatment Details

Interventions

Health education only (Behavioural Intervention)
Increased lifestyle walking (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study tests whether an 8-week program of increased lifestyle walking lowers blood pressure in older adults with breathing problems. Participants will either follow the walking program or receive only health education about managing their condition.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Increased lifestyle walking (intervention)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

Intentional increase in daily steps: 3,000 extra steps/day, 5-days a week, 8-weeks total.

Group II: Health education only (control)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

Health education and no intentional increase in baseline daily steps (but with the option to receive the intervention upon conclusion of the initial 8-weeks).