HYPERtension Reduction Through WALKing Stairs Versus Brisk Walking
- Conditions
- Metabolic DiseaseCardiovascular DiseasesHypertensionObesity and Overweight
- Registration Number
- NCT06952348
- Lead Sponsor
- Karolinska Institutet
- Brief Summary
This clinical trial investigates whether incorporating stair walking into daily routines improves physical health in adults at risk of lifestyle-related conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Participants will be randomized into three groups: (1) stair walking combined with brisk walking, (2) brisk walking alone, and (3) a control group receiving standard lifestyle advice without specific exercise instructions.
The primary objective is to assess whether the combination of stair and brisk walking leads to greater reductions in systolic blood pressure compared to brisk walking alone or standard care. Secondary outcomes include changes in cardiometabolic risk factors.
Participants in the stair walking group will be instructed to climb ≥250 steps per day (\~5.5 minutes/day or \~37.5 minutes/week), or complete an equivalent elevation via inclined slopes, along with ≥75 minutes of brisk walking per week. Those in the brisk walking group will walk ≥150 minutes per week. The control group will receive general lifestyle advice but no tailored physical activity goals or feedback.
Participants in both active groups will aim to double their baseline activity levels. Physical activity will be continuously monitored using wearable devices. The active groups will receive personalized feedback and motivational support throughout the 6-month intervention period.
If effective, this study may offer a simple, scalable, and low-cost intervention model for use in clinical and public health settings, emphasizing personalized goals, remote monitoring, and behavioral support.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- NOT_YET_RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 450
Not provided
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) at 6 months 6 months Office systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 6-month follow-up, adjusted for baseline values. SBP is a validated and widely accepted surrogate marker for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, as well as overall health risk.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) 6 months Office diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at 6-month follow-up, adjusted for baseline values. DBP is a clinically relevant indicator of cardiovascular risk and contributes to the assessment of overall blood pressure control.
HOMA-index 6 months Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) at 6-month follow-up, adjusted for baseline values. HOMA-IR is a validated surrogate marker of insulin resistance and metabolic risk, commonly used in cardiometabolic research.
HbA1c 6 months Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at 6-month follow-up, adjusted for baseline values. HbA1c reflects average blood glucose levels over the preceding 2-3 months and is a standard marker for assessing glycemic control and diabetes risk.
LDL cholesterol 6 months Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol at 6-month follow-up, adjusted for baseline values. LDL cholesterol is a key biomarker for cardiovascular risk and a primary target in lipid-lowering therapies.
Triglycerides 6 months Triglycerides (TG) at 6-month follow-up, adjusted for baseline levels. Elevated TG are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and are a core component of the metabolic syndrome.
Trial Locations
- Locations (3)
Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Huddinge
🇸🇪Stockholm, Sweden
Södersjukhuset
🇸🇪Stockholm, Sweden
Södertälje sjukhus
🇸🇪Stockholm, Sweden