Acute Blood Flow Restriction Walking on Immune Cell Phenotype and Function

November 3, 2026 updated by: Jonathan Little, University of British Columbia

Impact of Acute Blood Flow Restriction Walking on Immune Cell Phenotype and Function in Adults withT2D

To conduct a randomized control trial to determine the impact of acute blood flow restriction treadmill walking on immune cell counts, function, and phenotype in adults living with type 2 diabetes.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Participants will be randomized to a regular treadmill walking condition or treadmill walking with blood flow restriction (BFR) condition. In both groups participants will complete 32 minutes of treadmill walking at a speed and grade that elicit 40-50% heart rate reserve. In the BFR group the cuffs will be inflated based on each participants individualized limb occlusion pressure (LOP). The cuffs will remain inflated for the entire session but will deflate for 1 minute every 10 minutes based on safety recommendations. The percentage of LOP will 60%. Blood samples will be obtained pre-exercise (PRE), during the final 2 minutes of the final occlusion cycle (OCC), and 3 minutes into the recovery period post-exercise (POST) to measure outcomes.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
20

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • British Columbia
      • Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, V1V 1V7
        • Recruiting
        • University of British Columbia Okanagan
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

19 years to 64 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged 19-64 years
  • Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with current HbA1c 5.7-9.0%
  • Completing <150 minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity per week.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Chronic musculoskeletal condition or recent (within 2 years) cardiovascular event preventing participation in exercise.
  • Unstable type 2 diabetes medication of the last 3 months
  • Absolute contraindications to BFR (i.e., peripheral vascular disease)
  • A self-reported diagnosis of low iron concentrations, anemia, or being treated for these conditions
  • A diagnosis of any red blood cell-altering condition (i.e., sickle cell anemia, poikilocytosis)
  • Currently living with any cardiovascular disease, which would impact the ability to participate in exercise safely
  • Currently prescribed any medication which would impact the ability to use a heart rate monitor to accurately track intensity

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Treadmill walking with blood flow restriction

Treadmill walking with blood flow restriction.
Other: Exercise with BFR

Participants will complete 32 minutes of treadmill walking at a speed and grade that elicit 40-50% heart rate reserve. The cuffs will be inflated based on each participants individualized limb occlusion pressure (LOP). The cuffs will remain inflated for the entire session but will deflate for 1 minute every 10 minutes based on safety recommendations. The percentage of LOP will 60%.
Active Comparator: Treadmill Walking

Treadmill walking.
Other: Exercise

Participants will complete 32 minutes of treadmill walking at a speed and grade that elicit 40-50% heart rate reserve.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in white blood cell count before, during, and after exercise.
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The white blood cell count will be measured using a hematology analyzer before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in monocyte count before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The monocyte count will be measured using a hematology analyzer before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in neutrophil count before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The neutrophil count will be measured using a hematology analyzer before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in eosinophil count before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The eosinophil count will be measured using a hematology analyzer before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in CD66b+ expression before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The CD66b+ expression will be measured using flow cytometry before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in CD11b+ expression before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The CD11b+ expression will be measured using flow cytometer before, during, and after exercise
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in CD63+ expression before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The CD63+ expression will be measured using flow cytometry before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in % of classical monocytes before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The % of classical monocytes will be measured using flow cytometry before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in % of intermediate monocytes before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The % of intermediate monocytes will be measured using flow cytometry before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in % of non-classical monocytes before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The % of non-classical monocytes will be measured using flow cytometry before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in TLR-4 expression on classical monocytes before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The TLR-4 expression on classical monocytes will be measured using flow cytometry before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in TLR-4 expression on intermediate monocytes before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The TLR-4 expression on intermediate monocytes will be measured using flow cytometry before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in TLR-4 expression on non-classical monocytes before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The TLR-4 expression on non-classical monocytes will be measured using flow cytometry before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in plasma IL-6 before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The plasma IL-6 concentration will be measured using a multiplex assay before, during, and after exercise
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in plasma IL-10 before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The plasma IL-10 concentration will be measured using a multiplex assay before, during, and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in plasma TNF-α before, during, and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise

The plasma TNF-α concentration will be measured using a multiplex assay before, during, and after exercise
Pre-exercise, during 32 minute of exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in 4-h LPS-induced TNF-α before and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise

The LPS-induced TNF-α concentration will be measured from whole-blood culture supernatant using an ELISA before and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise
Change in 4-h LPS+IL10-induced TNF-α before and after exercise
Time Frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise

The LPS+IL10-induced TNF-α concentration will be measured from whole-blood culture supernatant using an ELISA before and after exercise.
Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of British Columbia

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
February 11, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 3, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
November 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
November 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 3, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
November 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • H25-02870 acute

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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