Daily Stretching to Improve Walking in Older Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: The STRETCH PAD Study
Key facts
- Where
- Hershey and Manhattan, United StatesSee the 2 sites
Where in United States
- Pennsylvania State University College of MedicineHershey, United StatesContact: Gerd Brunner, PhDNo longer taking part
- Kansas State UniversityManhattan, United StatesContact: Carl Ade, PhDNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Penn State University
- Trial code
- NCT07919483
- Record updated
- 5 November 2026
- Original description
The goal of this multi-center clinical trial is to assess the effects of passive calf muscle stretching in older adults diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The main questions it aims to answer are:Read full original descriptionShow less
Daily Stretching to Improve Walking and Calf Muscle Function in Older Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: The STRETCH PAD Study
The goal of this multi-center clinical trial is to assess the effects of passive calf muscle stretching in older adults diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. To determine how calf muscle stretching at home affects treadmill walk performance and daily physical activity level after 4 weeks and 6 months in these patients. 2. To determine how calf muscle stretching at home affects calf muscle vascular function and walking gait.
Participants will use inflatable ankle stretch boots for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 4-weeks
Inclusion: Adult male or female. Women must not be pregnant, nor plan to become pregnant or be breast feeding; Agree to participate voluntarily and sign an IRB approved consent form; ≥50 years of age; Individuals with peripheral artery disease. Objective evidence of PAD: ankle brachial index (ABI)<0.9 at rest; or any other diagnostic test confirming PAD including but not limited to hemodynamic or imaging modalities confirming PAD; PAD presentation or symptomatology consistent with Fontaine Stage IIa or IIb (intermittent claudication pain); PAD symptoms must be stable for at least 3 months to exclude acute thrombotic events; A peak walking time (PWT) < 360 seconds on a graded 6-minutes treadmill walking protocol.
Exclusion: Scheduled to undergo revascularization or major elective surgery within the next 6 months; Underwent lower extremity revascularization, or coronary artery bypass surgery within 3 months of screening; Underwent major orthopedic surgery within 6 months of screening; Terminal illness (<12-month life expectancy); Uncontrolled arrhythmias; Significant infection or inflammation; End stage renal disease (requiring dialysis); Parkinson's disease; Recent history of alcohol or drug abuse; Severe pulmonary condition that requires oxygen; Significant hepatic dysfunction (AST and/or ALT >5xULN, bilirubin >2xULN); Advanced heart failure: New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV, or last known left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%),; Inability to provide inform consent; Inability to cooperate during exams; Currently engaged in a structured, organized, and supervised physical training program; Enrolled in an interventional trial on PAD; Current critical limb ischemia or above/below-knee amputation, wheelchair-bound, or requires the use of a walker or cane; Inability to walk on a treadmill; Severe or very severe COPD (forced expiratory volume (FEV-1) ≤ 50%); Resting SpO₂ ≤92% or ≥4% desaturation with exercise; ≥1 mm ST depression/elevation (abnormal ECG finding).