MedPath

Blood Flow and Bone Density in Healthy Adult Women

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Lower Limb Fluid Pooling
Hypotensive
Bone Loss
Interventions
Device: calf muscle pump stimulation
Registration Number
NCT00397462
Lead Sponsor
Binghamton University
Brief Summary

This project will test the efficacy of using a non-invasive neuromuscular stimulation on the plantar surface of the feet to prevent and/ or reverse bone loss in a sample of healthy adult women.

Detailed Description

Women between the ages of 30 and 60 years of age who work in positions that require them to be seated at desks for a large portion of each day, are capable of following the protocol for one year, have a t-score \>- 2.5 (do not have osteoporosis), and respond to plantar stimulation will be asked to participate. Women will be excluded who are receiving medications for osteoporosis, taking hormone replacement therapy, taking steroids (either oral or inhaled), have metal implants in the tibia, hip and spine that interfere with DEXA (bone density) scanning, are professional or semi-professional athletes, have hyperparathyroidism, have a history of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral vascular disease or varicose veins, have a Body Mass Index greater than 40 Kg/m2, have any type of neuromuscular disease, or are pregnant . Once the inclusion and exclusion criteria are met, 45 subjects will be randomized into 3 groups including 1) a group of 15 subjects who will use the device (stimulation) for up to 4 hours a day, 2) a group of 15 subjects that will use the device for up to 8 hours a day, and 3) a control group who will not use the device. Subjects in the two treatment groups will be asked to place their feet on a mechanical device that will deliver a slight vibration while they are seated at work. Vibrations between 30-60 Hz has been shown to stimulate the Meissner's corpuscles which in turn stimulate contraction of the deep muscles of the calves. This contraction has been shown to increase venous and lymphatic return from the lower extremities thus improve bone metabolism. Bone density readings and venous circulation will be measured at the onset of this research and will be repeated after 12 months of using the device.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
44
Inclusion Criteria
  • healthy women 30 - 60 years old
  • work in seated positions
Exclusion Criteria
  • weigh more than 350 pounds
  • pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • professional athlete
  • currently on Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • currently taking medication for osteoporosis
  • currently on corticosteroids
  • metal implants in tibia hip spine forearm
  • diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism
  • diagnosed with neuromuscular disease
  • pulmonary embolism
  • deep vein thrombosis
  • peripheral vascular disease
  • medications for hypertension

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Low dosecalf muscle pump stimulationRequest that calf muscle pump stimulation be used less than four hours per day
High dosecalf muscle pump stimulationRequest that calf muscle pump stimulation be used at least four hours per day
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Bone Density of Proximal FemurOne year

Proximal femur bone mineral density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proximal Tibia Bone DensityOne year

Proximal tibia bone mineral density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath