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| ID | Type | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2209A-2025Fall-Submitted | Other Identifier | The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK) |
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This study aims to evaluate the acute effects of Buerger-Allen exercises on lower extremity circulation in sedentary office workers. Prolonged sitting is associated with reduced venous return, impaired peripheral circulation, and endothelial dysfunction. Buerger-Allen exercises are simple position-based exercises designed to enhance arterial blood flow, venous return, and tissue perfusion. Thirty-five healthy sedentary adults aged 18 to 45 years will participate in this single-group pretest-posttest clinical trial. Skin surface temperature, capillary refill time, ankle-brachial index, peripheral oxygen saturation, and heart rate will be measured before and after a single 20-minute exercise session. The findings may support the use of Buerger-Allen exercises as a practical, low-cost physiotherapy strategy to improve peripheral circulation and reduce the adverse vascular effects of prolonged sitting.
Sedentary behavior and prolonged sitting are associated with impaired venous return, reduced peripheral blood flow, endothelial dysfunction, and increased cardiovascular risk. Office workers who remain seated for extended periods may experience lower extremity discomfort, edema, and early circulatory impairment.
Buerger-Allen exercises are position-based therapeutic exercises that involve sequential elevation, dependency, and horizontal rest of the lower limbs. These exercises are designed to promote arterial inflow, facilitate venous return, and enhance tissue perfusion without requiring specialized equipment. Previous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects in patients with peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, but evidence regarding their acute effects in healthy sedentary adults is limited.
This study will use a quasi-experimental single-group pretest-posttest design to investigate the immediate effects of Buerger-Allen exercises on lower extremity circulation in sedentary office workers. A total of 35 participants aged 18 to 45 years will be recruited from Istanbul Gelisim University. All participants will complete a standardized 20-minute Buerger-Allen exercise protocol.
Primary outcome measures will include skin surface temperature assessed with infrared thermometry, capillary refill time, ankle-brachial index, peripheral oxygen saturation, and heart rate. Measurements will be performed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 10 minutes after the intervention.
The study is expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of a simple and low-cost physiotherapy intervention for improving peripheral circulation and preventing the adverse vascular effects associated with prolonged sedentary behavior.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buerger-Allen Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants will perform a single standardized 20-minute Buerger-Allen exercise session. Lower extremity circulatory parameters will be assessed before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 10 minutes after the intervention. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buerger-Allen Exercise Program | Behavioral | The intervention consists of a standardized Buerger-Allen exercise protocol involving three sequential positions: (1) elevation of the lower limbs above heart level to facilitate venous return, (2) dependency of the lower limbs to promote arterial blood flow, and (3) horizontal supine rest to stabilize circulation. The complete exercise session lasts approximately 20 minutes and is performed once. Lower extremity circulatory parameters are assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 10 minutes after the intervention. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Surface Temperature | Skin surface temperature measured with an infrared thermometer in degrees Celsius (°C). Higher values indicate increased peripheral blood flow and tissue perfusion. | Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention |
| Capillary Refill Time | Capillary refill time measured in seconds. Shorter times indicate improved peripheral microcirculation and tissue perfusion. | Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) | Ratio of ankle to brachial systolic blood pressure used to assess lower extremity arterial circulation. Higher values within the normal range indicate better arterial perfusion. | Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention |
| Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busenur KARAGÖZ, MSc | Contact | +90 534 062 71 24 | buse.nur97e@gmail.com | |
| Gökay ÇAKIROĞLU, PT | Contact | +90 542 519 42 55 | gcakiroglu@gelisim.edu.tr |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Busenur KARAGÖZ, MSc | İstanbul Gelisim University | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| İstanbul Gelisim University | Istanbul | Turkey (Türkiye) |
Individual participant data will not be made publicly available because no formal data-sharing plan has been established for this investigator-initiated academic study.
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D057185 | Sedentary Behavior |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001519 | Behavior |
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All participants will undergo a single standardized Buerger-Allen exercise session. Lower extremity circulatory parameters will be assessed before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 10 minutes after the intervention.
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Oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry and expressed as a percentage (%). Higher values indicate improved peripheral oxygenation. |
| Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention |
| Heart Rate | Heart rate measured by pulse oximetry and expressed in beats per minute (bpm). | Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention |