Short mild low-oxygen sessions to support brain blood-vessel health in older adults
Effect of Hypoxic Conditioning on Cerebrovascular Health in the Elderly
We will test whether brief, controlled sessions of mild low-oxygen exposure, alone or combined with rehabilitative exercise, can improve brain blood-vessel function in inactive people aged 60 to 80.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 64 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Grenoble Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (La Tronche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) |
| Trial ID | NCT05048680 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The trial will enroll physically inactive adults aged 60–80 and deliver controlled intermittent hypoxic conditioning sessions, either by themselves or alongside rehabilitative exercise training, to compare effects on cerebrovascular and systemic vascular function. Researchers will measure changes in cerebrovascular health and physical capacity using established physiological tests before and after the intervention. The protocol is designed to offer hypoxic conditioning as an alternative or complement to conventional exercise for people who cannot or will not engage in standard activity programs. Safety screening will exclude participants with medical conditions that contraindicate exercise or hypoxic exposure, and the intervention will be delivered at a single clinical center with ongoing monitoring.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are physically inactive adults aged 60–80 without chronic cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, or neuromuscular diseases, who can give informed consent and have health coverage.
Not a fit: People with significant medical contraindications (for example uncontrolled cardiovascular or respiratory disease), BMI over 30, current heavy smoking or alcohol use, or those taking beta-blockers are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help preserve or improve cerebral blood-vessel function and support physical and cognitive abilities in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work supports hypoxic conditioning and some small human studies report promising vascular effects, but larger randomized data in older adults remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 60 to 80 years of age; * Being physically inactive (less than 150 min/week of moderate to intense physical activity); * No chronic cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic or neuromuscular disease counterindicating an exercise training or hypoxic conditioning program; * Health coverage; * Being able to provide written fully informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Body-mass index \>30 kg/m2; * Smoking (\> cigarettes/day); * Alcohol use (\> 10g/day); * Mental disorder or history of mental disorder; * Beta-blockade treatment; * Inability or refusal to provide informed consent; * No health coverage * People exceeding the annual ceiling of allowances received as a result of their participation in other clinical trials; * People deprived of freedom by judicial or administrative decision; * People subject to legal protection, who cannot be included in clinical trials.
Where this trial is running
La Tronche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- CHU Grenoble Alpes — La Tronche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Stéphane Doutreleau, MD, PhD — CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Alpes University
- Study coordinator: Stéphane Doutreleau, MD, PhD
- Email: sdoutreleau@chu-grenoble.fr
- Phone: +33476767773
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.