Chronic Wounds and Blood Circulation Detection

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Intervention 1: Mixed exercise program: A 12-week, group-based mixed exercise program focusing on lower limb strengthening, balance, and aerobic training (3 sessions per week, 30 minutes per session). Exercise intensity will be adjusted based on individual fitness and circulation levels.

Intervention 2: High-intensity rowing exercise: A 12-week, high-intensity lower limb rowing exercise program (3 sessions per week, 30 minutes per session), with individualized intensity adjustments based on each participant's baseline

Intervention 3: Vibration exercise: A 12-week, vibration exercise program (3 sessions per week, 30 minutes per session), with individualized intensity adjustments based on each participant's baseline

Study summary

Lower limb circulatory insufficiency and the associated chronic wounds are common health problems among the elderly. These issues not only affect the individual's mobility and quality of life but also potentially increase medical costs and caregiving expenses. Traditional treatment methods often employ medications to enhance blood circulation, but these clinical approaches have limited effectiveness and induce the risk of side effects. Utilizing exercise as an intervention strategy can help improve lower limb blood circulation in the elderly while reducing the side effects associated with medications. However, due to physical frailty, elderly individuals often cannot participate in high-intensity exercises to improve their circulatory performance.

Therefore, this study will develop a lower limb circulation enhancement exercise system to improve the circulatory performance in individuals with poor lower limb circulation. It will compare the effects of lower limb circulation enhancement exercise, vibration exercise, and mixed exercise on improving blood circulation and functional performance in the elderly or individuals with poor lower limb circulation.

Participants will be randomly assigned into three groups: the lower limb circulation enhancement exercise group, the vibration exercise group, and the mixed exercise group. In addition, a separate group of young adults (control group) will serve as a reference for baseline comparisons. Initially, all participants will undergo a one-time exercise test, followed by a 12-week intervention. The lower limb circulation enhancement exercise group will perform a 30-minute leg press rowing exercise three times a week, while the vibration exercise group will engage in vibration exercise at the same frequency, and the mixed exercise group will perform group-based mixed exercise training at the same frequency. The young adult control group will not receive any intervention but will undergo the same assessments.

Outcome evaluations before and after the intervention include lower limb blood perfusion monitoring, pain scales, and functional performance assessments.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Lower limb blood perfusion — Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
  Lower limb blood perfusion will be assessed using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) and Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI). For LSCI, measurements will be performed at the plantar surface beneath the hallux. The protocol includes a baseline recording period, transient arterial occlusion using an ankle cuff, and post-occlusion monitoring to capture recovery and reactive changes. Skin perfusion pressure (SPP) will be derived from the LSCI signal inflection point following cuff release, expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Trial sites (1)

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