Effects of heat on exercise responses in patients with peripheral artery disease

Effects of Heating on Exercise Pressor Reflex in Peripheral Artery Disease: Exercise Ability

Early Phase 1 Interventional Milton S. Hershey Medical Center · NCT03900832

This study tests if warming up with things like warm baths or heating suits can help people with peripheral artery disease exercise better by seeing how it affects their blood pressure and muscle responses.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment32 (estimated)
Ages21 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorMilton S. Hershey Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT03900832 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how heat exposure affects the sympathetic and blood pressure responses during exercise in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). It aims to determine if heating alters the sensitivity of muscle afferent receptors, potentially improving exercise tolerance. Participants will undergo various interventions, including warm baths and heating suits, to assess their impact on exercise-induced blood pressure responses. The study focuses on patients diagnosed with PAD, particularly those experiencing intermittent claudication during physical activity.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 21-85 diagnosed with peripheral artery disease and experiencing intermittent claudication.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced cardiovascular conditions or those with significant comorbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance exercise tolerance and overall quality of life for patients with peripheral artery disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that exercise can benefit PAD patients, but this specific approach of using heat exposure is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

All subjects

* Capable of giving informed consent
* Any race or ethnicity
* Men and women age 21- 85 years (inclusive)
* Fluent in written and spoken English

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

* Diagnosed with PAD (i.e., ankle-brachial index below 0.9)
* Fontaine stage II or less - no pain while resting
* Satisfactory history and physical exam

Healthy subjects

* Satisfactory history and physical examination
* Free of acute medical conditions

Exclusion Criteria:

For patients with PAD and Healthy subjects

* Age \< 21 years
* Pregnant or nursing women
* Decisional impairment
* Prisoners

For patients with PAD

* History of CAD with symptoms of unstable angina or myocardial infarction (\<6 months)
* History of epilepsy or seizure disorders

For healthy subjects

• Any other chronic diseases (heart, lung, neuromuscular disease or diabetes)

Where this trial is running

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions PADexerciseblood pressure responseheating
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.