Examining blood vessel function and oxidative stress in EMTs

Vascular Function and Oxidative Stress in Emergency Medical Responders

This study tests if overnight shifts affect blood vessel health in EMTs and whether taking antioxidant supplements can help reduce any negative effects.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Ages: 20 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Delaware (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Newark, Delaware)
• Trial ID: NCT06985394 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of overnight shift work on blood vessel function and oxidative stress in emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Participants will report to the lab after working overnight shifts to assess their vascular health and oxidative stress levels. They will also receive either an antioxidant supplement or a placebo during their shifts to determine if antioxidants can mitigate the negative impacts of night work. The study seeks to provide insights into how shift work affects EMTs' cardiovascular health and whether dietary interventions can help.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are active EMTs who have been working night shifts for at least one year and meet specific health criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic diseases or sleep disorders, or those taking sleep aids, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved health outcomes for EMTs by identifying effective strategies to counteract the negative effects of night shift work.

How similar studies have performed: While there is existing research on the health impacts of shift work, this specific approach of using antioxidants in EMTs is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Body mass index between 18.5 and \<35 kg/m²
* Seated resting systolic blood pressure \< 140 mmHg, and seated resting diastolic blood pressure \< 90 mmHg
* Participant must be an active first responder that works shift work schedules. e.g., emergency medical responders, basic life support emergency medical technicians (i.e., BLS EMT), advanced life support emergency medical technicians (A-EMT), and paramedics
* Participant must have been working shift work for at least 1 year
* Participant must work at least 4 night shifts per month

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participant is unwilling or unable to give consent
* Participant has been diagnosed with any chronic disease (a history of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease)
* Participant has been diagnosed with a sleep disorder (e.g., insomnia, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea)
* Participant is currently taking melatonin or other sleep aids (e.g., Ambien, sedatives, etc.), or any supplements/medications known to alter sleep patterns. Participants using melatonin must undergo a minimum 72-hour washout period prior to study participation to ensure baseline sleep patterns are not affected\[15, 16\]
* Resting blood pressure \>140/90 mmHg
* Body mass index \<18.5 or \>35 kg/m2
* Currently pregnant or breast feeding (women only)
* Currently use tobacco or nicotine products (≥1 cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette, vape, or any other nicotine-containing product in the last month), including smokeless tobacco (e.g., chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, snus), nicotine lozenges or gum, heated tobacco products, and any illicit drugs

Where this trial is running

Newark, Delaware

• University of Delaware — Newark, Delaware, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Alexs Matias, MS

Conditions: Cardiovascular Function in EMTs, EMT, First Responder, Oxidative Stress, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician