Feasibility and Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training Combined With Blood Flow Restriction for Frail Older Adults

NCT07573995 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-05-07

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized controlled trial study aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a combined inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and blood flow restriction (BFR) intervention in frail older adults. Outcomes of interest include feasibility, physical function, respiratory muscle strength, handgrip strength, five-times sit-to-stand performance, body composition, frailty level, fall efficacy, blood pressure, and adverse events.

Conditions

  • Frailty Syndrome
  • Older Adults
  • Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training Effects
  • Inspiratory Muscle Training

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Exercise

Each session will last approximately 60 minutes and will include three components: (1) an initial 3-minute IMT exercise performed at an intensity corresponding to rating of perceived exertion (RPE) 11-13 on the Borg 6-20 scale, (2) a 50-minute low-intensity exercise program combined with BFR, and (3) a second 3-minute IMT session at the same target intensity. For the IMT, the protocol follows a progressive intensity model, starting with 30% of the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) in Week 1 to allow participants to become familiar with the technique. The intensity will gradually increase to a target of 60% MIP by Week 6, based on the participants' tolerance. For the BFR, during weeks 1-2, participants will train at constant loads. From weeks 2-6, training loads will be increased. Cuff pressure will be prescribed relative to the calculated arterial occlusion pressure (AOP): 50% in weeks 1-2, 60% in weeks 3-4, and 70% in weeks 5-6 for both lower- and upper-body exercises.

BEHAVIORAL

Sham Control

Participants in the control group will perform the identical BFR exercise protocol as the intervention group. However, IMT will be delivered at 2% of MIP, which is considered a sham condition and has not been shown to improve respiratory muscle function

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Taiwan University

    collaborator OTHER
  • The University of Texas at Austin

    collaborator UNKNOWN
  • Taipei Medical University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-05-31
Primary Completion
2026-10-31
Completion
2026-10-31

Countries

  • Taiwan

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07573995 on ClinicalTrials.gov