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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 65 to 85

Improving blood vessel health in frail older adults through exercise and conditioning

Official title: Ischemic Conditioning to Promote Microvascular Resiliency in Frail Individuals

Run by Medical College of Wisconsin · NCT05808686 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether high-intensity exercise and a special conditioning technique can help improve blood vessel health in frail older adults.

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Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages65 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SponsorMedical College of Wisconsin
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Wauwatosa, Wisconsin)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 2, 2023
Main results expectedDecember 2028
Study endsDecember 2029
Registry record updatedSeptember 23, 2025
Trial IDNCT05808686 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are men and women aged 65-85 who are considered frail but can safely engage in high-intensity exercise.

Probably not a fit

Patients with recent myocardial infarction, severe obesity, heart failure, or other conditions that prevent high-intensity exercise may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to investigate how small blood vessels in frail elderly individuals respond to high-intensity exercise and whether a technique called ischemic conditioning can enhance their resilience. Participants will undergo assessments of frailty and physical function, followed by exercise tests and microvascular evaluations. The study involves three visits, where participants will perform exercises and use a blood pressure cuff for home-based conditioning. The goal is to determine if this intervention can protect blood vessels from stress during exercise.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved vascular health and exercise tolerance in frail older adults.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that conditioning can protect athletes from exercise stress, but this specific approach in frail elderly individuals is novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion 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).

Where it's running

  • Froedtert Hospital
    Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.