Lower leg heat therapy to protect pregnant women with obesity

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project will enroll 118 pregnant women with obesity in their first trimester and randomly assign them to either a lower-leg heating intervention or usual care. The researchers will examine how the treatment affects blood vessel health, nitric oxide pathways, and sympathetic nervous system activity, aiming to reduce the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Over the course of the study, participants will undergo controlled heat exposure to the lower legs and be monitored for vascular responses and blood pressure changes. The goal is to see if a simple, non-drug approach can improve cardiovascular function and potentially improve pregnancy outcomes.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Ut Southwestern Medical Center
  Dallas, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Fu, Qi — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Fu, Qi

Related research

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About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.