Actively Recruiting
Passive Calf Stretching Therapy in Peripheral Artery Disease
Led by Penn State University · Updated on 2025-07-31
24
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
169 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
P
Penn State University
Lead Sponsor
A
American Heart Association
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effects of passive calf muscle stretching in patients diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The main question it aims to answer are: 1. To determine if daily calf muscle stretching at home improves calf muscle and vascular health. 2. To determine if daily calf muscle stretching at home improves walking performance. Participants will use inflatable ankle splints for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 4-weeks on both days and 4-weeks of no stretching.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Passive Calf Stretching Therapy in Peripheral Artery Disease
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Stable PAD symptoms for at least 3 months
- Age between 40 and 85 years
- Men and women who are not pregnant or nursing
You will not qualify if you...
- Ischemic leg pain at rest or critical limb ischemia (ulceration or gangrene)
- Any condition other than PAD that limits the ability to walk
- Major surgery or lower extremity revascularization surgery in the past 6 months
- Myocardial infarction within past 6 months or unstable angina
- Severe lung disease requiring supplemental oxygen or frequent rescue inhalers
- Non-compressible vessels (Ankle Brachial Index > 1.40)
- Habitual exercise of 30 minutes continuous activity on 3 or more days per week
- Current tobacco smoker or use of nicotine-containing products
- Pregnant or nursing women
- History of ankle reconstruction or surgery
- Recent injuries (less than 1 year) to ankle, Achilles tendon, or feet
- History of rheumatoid arthritis or other degenerative joint disease
- Major medical illness treatment during the prior 12 months
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Inability to walk on a treadmill at a slow pace (1.0 mile/hour)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Penn State University
University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, 16802
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
David N Proctor, Ph.D.
CONTACT
J
Jocelyn M Delgado, B.S.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here