Sedentary BehaviorBAE-CIRCNCT07588893
Buerger-Allen Exercises and Peripheral Circulation in Sedentary Office Workers
A study testing Buerger-Allen Exercise Program in people with Sedentary Behavior and Peripheral Circulation, run by Istanbul Gelisim University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sedentary Behavior, Peripheral Circulation, Vascular Function
- What is being tested?
- Buerger-Allen Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 35 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2026to 1 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy sedentary office workers
- Age between 18 and 45 years
- Sitting for at least 6 hours per day for work-related activities
- Not meeting regular physical activity recommendations
- Willing to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- History of peripheral arterial disease, deep vein thrombosis, or other vascular disorders
- Cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions that may affect lower extremity circulation or prevent exercise participation
- Diabetes mellitus
- Current smoking
- Pregnancy
- Use of medications that may significantly affect peripheral circulation
- Lower extremity injury or surgery within the previous 6 months
- Participation in regular structured exercise programs
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
İstanbul Gelisim University
Istanbul
Busenur KARAGÖZ, MSc, +90 534 062 71 24, buse.nur97e@gmail.com
Gökay ÇAKIROĞLU, PT
About this study
Official title: Acute Effects of Buerger-Allen Exercises on Lower Extremity Circulatory Parameters in Sedentary Office Workers: A Single-Group Pretest-Posttest Clinical Trial
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.
Read the detailed description
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.
- Being tested
- Buerger-Allen Exercise Program
- Keywords
- Buerger-Allen Exercise, Peripheral Circulation, Sedentary Behavior, Office Workers, Capillary Refill Time, Ankle-Brachial Index, Infrared Thermography, Physiotherapy
- Medical subject headings
- Sedentary Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Buerger-Allen Exercise ProgramBehavioural
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: Behavioral: Buerger-Allen Exercise Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention
Secondary outcomes (3)
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.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
Oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry and expressed as a percentage (%). Higher values indicate improved peripheral oxygenation.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention
Heart Rate
Heart rate measured by pulse oximetry and expressed in beats per minute (bpm).
Measured: Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 May 2026
- Study start1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sedentary BehaviorStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- 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.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Gelisim University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, BUSENUR KARAGÖZ, Istanbul Gelisim University
- Investigators
- Busenur KARAGÖZ, MSc, Principal investigator, İstanbul Gelisim University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07588893
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IGU-FTR-BAE-2026-001
- Other IDs
- 2209A-2025Fall-Submitted
- Acronym
- BAE-CIRC
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 9 May 2026
- Last updated
- 15 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be made publicly available because no formal data-sharing plan has been established for this investigator-initiated academic study.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Effects of Buerger-Allen Exercises on Lower Extremity Circulatory Parameters in Sedentary Office Workers: A Single-Group Pretest-Posttest Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07588893
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BAE-CIRC / IGU-FTR-BAE-2026-001
- Keywords
- Buerger-Allen Exercise, Peripheral Circulation, Sedentary Behavior, Office Workers, Capillary Refill Time, Ankle-Brachial Index, Infrared Thermography, Physiotherapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Gelisim UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- 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.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Buerger-Allen Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Buerger-Allen Exercise ProgramParticipants 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Healthy sedentary office workers
- Age between 18 and 45 years
- Sitting for at least 6 hours per day for work-related activities
- Not meeting regular physical activity recommendations
- Willing to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- History of peripheral arterial disease, deep vein thrombosis, or other vascular disorders
- Cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions that may affect lower extremity circulation or prevent exercise participation
- Diabetes mellitus
- Current smoking
- Pregnancy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Buerger-Allen Exercise ProgramThe 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. | Behavioural | Buerger-Allen Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Skin Surface Temperature
Time frame: Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention
Skin surface temperature measured with an infrared thermometer in degrees Celsius (°C). Higher values indicate increased peripheral blood flow and tissue perfusion.
Capillary Refill Time
Time frame: Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention
Capillary refill time measured in seconds. Shorter times indicate improved peripheral microcirculation and tissue perfusion.
3 secondary outcomes
Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
Time frame: Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
Time frame: Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention
Heart Rate
Time frame: Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. 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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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Busenur KARAGÖZ, MSc principal investigator
İstanbul Gelisim University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Buerger-Allen Exercise Program in people with Sedentary Behavior and Peripheral Circulation, run by Istanbul Gelisim University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Busenur KARAGÖZ, MSc (+90 534 062 71 24, buse.nur97e@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Skin Surface Temperature (time frame: Baseline, Immediately After Intervention, and 10 Minutes After Intervention). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 May 2026.