HYPERtension Reduction Through WALKing Stairs Versus Brisk Walking

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, stratified by age (\<65 y/o, v \>=65) and site.

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.

Conditions

• Metabolic Disease
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Hypertension
• Obesity and Overweight

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Stair and brisk walking combined

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BEHAVIORAL

Brisk walking

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BEHAVIORAL

Standard care

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Sponsors & Collaborators

• Södersjukhuset (Stockholm South General Hospital)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Ersta Cardiology Outpatient Clinic

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Liljeholmens vårdcentral

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Boo vårdcentral

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Karolinska University Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Sodertalje Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Karolinska Institutet

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

35 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-27

Primary Completion

2028-12-31

Completion

2029-05-31

Countries

• Sweden

Study Locations