Dose-Response Structured Calf Muscle Pump Activation Strategies Versus Unsupervised Home Walks (Ulcer)
11 agosto 2026 aggiornato da: Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Abd El hady El Fahl,ph.d, MTI University
Optimizing Venous Leg Ulcer Healing Via Dose-Response Structured Calf Muscle Pump Activation Strategies Versus Unsupervised Home Walks
investigates the comparative effectiveness of two interventions aimed at promoting the healing of venous leg ulcers-a common chronic condition characterized by impaired venous return and poor wound healing in the lower extremities.
The research explores whether structured and supervised calf muscle pump activation exercises, delivered with individualized dose-response protocols, can enhance venous return and improve ulcer healing outcomes more effectively than traditional recommendations for unsupervised home walking.
The structured intervention likely involves targeted exercises designed to optimize the activation and function of the calf muscle pump, which is crucial for facilitating blood flow from the legs back to the heart.
In contrast, the unsupervised home walks represent a less controlled, patient-led approach often prescribed in clinical practice.
By comparing these approaches, the study seeks to determine if a more scientific, structured exercise regimen tailored to each patient's response yields superior healing rates, better compliance, and improved patient quality of life.
Ultimately, the findings may inform best practices for physical therapy and rehabilitation strategies in the management of venous leg ulcers, potentially leading to more personalized and effective treatment protocols in clinical and home settings.
Panoramica dello studio
Stato
Non ancora reclutamento
Condizioni
Intervento / Trattamento
Descrizione dettagliata
The research aims to determine whether a structured, dose-response regimen of calf muscle pump activation exercises, which are specifically designed and supervised to maximize venous return in the lower limbs, can enhance ulcer healing rates more effectively than the traditional recommendation of unsupervised home walking.
Participants are divided into two groups: one receives guided interventions with tailored exercise frequency, duration, and intensity to systematically activate the calf muscle pump, while the control group is advised to perform regular home walks without supervision or specific guidance.
The study meticulously measures healing outcomes, adherence, vascular function, and patient quality of life to assess the true impact of structured exercise versus informal activity.
By analyzing these variables, the research seeks to provide evidence-based recommendations for optimizing therapeutic strategies in the management of venous leg ulcers, potentially shifting clinical practice toward more prescriptive and individualized physical activity guidelines, and highlighting the importance of targeted exercise science in post-secondary physical education and rehabilitation curricula.
Tipo di studio
Interventistico
Iscrizione (Stimato)
80
Fase
- Non applicabile
Criteri di partecipazione
I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.
Criteri di ammissibilità
Età idonea allo studio
- Adulto
Accetta volontari sani
No
Descrizione
Inclusion Criteria
- Age (ge 20 - 60) years with a confirmed, non-healing VLU (present for \(>6\) weeks).
- Ulcer surface area between \(2 \text{ cm}^2\) and \(20 \text{ cm}^2\).
- Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) \(\ge 0.8\), ensuring adequate arterial perfusion.
- Able to provide informed consent and comply with follow-up appointments. Exclusion Criteria
- Severe, uncompensated congestive heart failure (NYHA Class III or IV).
- Active local wound infection or systemic osteomyelitis.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosed within the past 3 months.
- Severe osteoarthritic limitations rendering ankle movement impossible.
Piano di studio
Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.
Come è strutturato lo studio?
Dettagli di progettazione
- Scopo principale: Trattamento
- Assegnazione: Randomizzato
- Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
- Mascheramento: Doppio
Armi e interventi
Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm |
Intervento / Trattamento |
|---|---|
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Sperimentale: Group A: Dose-Response Structured CMP Activation Strategy
Weeks 1-4 (Activation Phase): Focuses on establishing baseline mobility. Weeks 5-8 (Hypertrophy & Ejection Phase): Focuses on building muscle pump volume. Weeks 9-12 (Power & Hemodynamic Clearance Phase): Focuses on clearing pooled blood under high pressure. |
Progression Protocol (The Dose-Response) Weeks 1-4 (Activation Phase): Focuses on establishing baseline mobility. Ankle ROM Drills: 3 sets of 15 repetitions of passive and active dorsiflexion/plantar flexion stretches utilizing an inelastic stretching strap. Goal: Overcome joint stiffness to reach >10° of passive dorsiflexion. Seated CMP Loading: Seated heel raises with resistive elastic bands (15 repetitions, 4 sets). Weeks 5-8 (Hypertrophy & Ejection Phase): Focuses on building muscle pump volume. Standing Closed-Kinetic Chain Exercises: Standing bodyweight heel raises performed on a step to allow a deep negative heel deficit (eccentric loading). 4 sets of 12 repetitions. Incline Ergometry: 15 minutes of continuous stationary cycling or treadmill walking at a 5% to 8% incline to force a natural heel-strike and powerful toe-off phase. Weeks 9-12 (Power & Hemodynamic Clearance Phase): Focuses on clearing pooled blood under high pressure. Resisted Plantarflexion: Single-leg standing hee |
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Comparatore attivo: Group B: Unsupervised Home Walking (Active Control)
Completely independent and self-managed home program
|
Patients were issued a medical-grade wrist-worn pedometer and a matching ankle sensor.
The device display was blinded (blacked out) to prevent active self-biasing or behavioral modification based on step count numbers.
Data was downloaded retroactively by researchers at bi-weekly clinic visits to measure real-world gait speeds, step counts, total active time, and spatial asymmetries without the patient altering their natural routine.
No constraints were placed on gait modifications.
If the patient guards their wound by walking flat-footed or shuffling, the behavior is recorded but not corrected, providing a true representation of unguided real-world walking mechanics.
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Cosa sta misurando lo studio?
Misure di risultato primarie
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
|---|---|---|
|
wound healing volume (cm3))
Lasso di tempo: at base line and 12 weeks
|
saline injection
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at base line and 12 weeks
|
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wound healing (surface area(cm2)
Lasso di tempo: at base line and 12 weeks
|
using Image J software
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at base line and 12 weeks
|
Misure di risultato secondarie
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
|---|---|---|
|
Venous Filling Index (VFI) (mL/sec)
Lasso di tempo: at baseline and 12 weeks
|
The Venous Filling Index (VFI) is a quantitative measurement used to assess the severity of venous reflux in patients with venous leg ulcers.
It is determined using air plethysmography, which tracks changes in leg volume during and after a series of standardized calf muscle contractions.
VFI is calculated as the rate at which blood refills the veins after each contraction, expressed in milliliters per second (mL/sec).
A higher VFI indicates more rapid venous refilling, reflecting greater venous insufficiency and reflux.
Monitoring VFI allows clinicians to objectively compare the effectiveness of interventions, such as structured calf muscle pump activation strategies versus unsupervised home walks, in improving venous return and supporting ulcer healing.
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at baseline and 12 weeks
|
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Ejection Fraction (EF) (%).
Lasso di tempo: at base line and 12 weeks
|
To measure Ejection Fraction (EF) as an indicator of calf muscle pump efficacy during a single contraction, use duplex ultrasound or air plethysmography to assess venous volume changes in the lower leg.
First, record the baseline venous volume with the patient in a relaxed, supine position.
Then, instruct the patient to perform a single, deliberate calf muscle contraction (such as plantarflexion).
Immediately measure the post-contraction venous volume.
EF is calculated as the percentage of blood ejected from the veins during the contraction: EF (%) = [(baseline volume - post-contraction volume) / baseline volume] × 100.
This value quantifies how effectively the calf muscle pump expels venous blood with each contraction.
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at base line and 12 weeks
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Collaboratori e investigatori
Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.
Sponsor
Studiare le date dei record
Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.
Studia le date principali
Inizio studio (Stimato)
1 ottobre 2026
Completamento primario (Stimato)
1 febbraio 2027
Completamento dello studio (Stimato)
5 febbraio 2027
Date di iscrizione allo studio
Primo inviato
4 agosto 2026
Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità
11 agosto 2026
Primo Inserito (Effettivo)
13 agosto 2026
Aggiornamenti dei record di studio
Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)
13 agosto 2026
Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC
11 agosto 2026
Ultimo verificato
1 agosto 2026
Maggiori informazioni
Termini relativi a questo studio
Parole chiave
Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi
Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio
- IRB00014233-94
Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)
Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?
NO
Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio
Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti
No
Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti
No
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