Iron Deficiency Anemia TreatmentATT-QoL-IDANCT07651098
Treadmill Aerobic Training and Quality of Life in Anemic Females
A study testing Treadmill Aerobic Exercise and Standard Medical Care and Nutritional Protocol in people with Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment and Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of an 8-week structured treadmill aerobic training program on physical fitness and health-related quality of life in young adult females diagnosed with mild-to-moderate iron deficiency anemia. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 28 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment, Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
- What is being tested?
- Treadmill Aerobic Exercise and Standard Medical Care and Nutritional Protocol
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 15 Nov 2025to 15 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 28 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 18 to 28 years.
- Biological females.
- Clinically diagnosed with mild-to-moderate Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), documented by laboratory Complete Blood Count (CBC) showing Hemoglobin (Hb) levels strictly between 9.0 and 12.0 g/dL, and serum ferritin levels ranging from 15 to 150 ng/mL.
- Hemodynamically stable and medically cleared to safely participate in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.
- Regularly receiving physician-prescribed standard medical care (e.g., oral iron supplementation)
Who cannot join
- Severe anemia (Hemoglobin levels below 9.0 g/dL).
- Pregnancy or lactation.
- Chronic respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma or COPD.
- Acute or chronic cardiovascular instability (e.g., severe arrhythmias, uncontrolled hypertension, or structural heart disease).
- Affected by chronic diseases or adhering to regular medication regimens (other than prescribed iron).
- Neurological or musculoskeletal disorders that mechanically limit the ability to walk on a treadmill or perform the step test safely.
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- Experiencing acute illness, systemic infection, menorrhagia, irregular menstruation, or fever at the time of the study.
- Active participation in other structured, vigorous athletic training programs.
- Cognitive impairment affecting patient cooperation or the ability to understand the study questionnaires
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Egypt1 site
Outpatient Clinics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Horus University
New Damietta, Damietta Governorate, 34517
About this study
Official title: Aerobic Treadmill Training Improves Exercise Tolerance and Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adult Females With Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of an 8-week structured treadmill aerobic training program on physical fitness and health-related quality of life in young adult females diagnosed with mild-to-moderate iron deficiency anemia. Sixty participants are randomly allocated into two equal groups of thirty. Group A (Experimental) receives standard daily oral iron therapy combined with a supervised moderate-intensity treadmill exercise program 3 times per week (30-40 minutes at 60-70% maximum heart rate). Group B (Control) receives standard oral iron therapy with no structured exercise. The study primary outcome measures the Physical Fitness Index (PFI) using the modified submaximal 3-minute Harvard Step Test, alongside secondary quality of life outcomes (SF-12 questionnaire), to prove that active cardiovascular training reverses physical deconditioning where iron supplements alone fall short.
Read the detailed description
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is deeply associated with marked fatigue, diminished neuromuscular efficiency, and cardiorespiratory deconditioning. While standard medical management relies purely on pharmacological iron supplements to normalize hematological indices, this approach does not directly restore functional aerobic capacity or skeletal muscle utilization efficiency.
This study employs a parallel-group randomized controlled trial design (1:1 allocation) comparing two approaches over 8 consecutive weeks:
- Experimental Group (Group A, n=30): Standard physician-prescribed oral iron supplementation plus a structured moderate-intensity treadmill aerobic exercise program (3 sessions per week, progressing from 35 to 40 minutes at 60-70% max HR), alongside standard nutrition guidelines (the '2-Hour Rule' for iron absorption and daily Blackstrap Molasses).
- Control Group (Group B, n=30): Standard physician-prescribed oral iron supplementation and nutritional guidelines alone, with no structured exercise program.
Functional physical fitness is evaluated at baseline and post-treatment using the Physical Fitness Index (PFI) derived from the submaximal 3-minute Harvard Step Test. Health-related quality of life is assessed via the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), evaluating both Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) dimensions. The research evaluates whether systematic physical therapy/aerobic work is a mandatory adjuvant to reverse physical deconditioning in young females.
- Being tested
- Treadmill Aerobic Exercise, Standard Medical Care and Nutritional Protocol
- Keywords
- Treadmill Training, Aerobic Exercise, Quality of Life, Physical Fitness, Anemic Females
- Medical subject headings
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Treadmill Aerobic ExerciseBehavioural
Supervised progressive treadmill walking program for 8 weeks, 3 times/week. Each session lasted 35-40 minutes including 5 minutes warm-up (at 2.0-3.0 km/h), 25-30 minutes active aerobic walking at 60-70% of age-predicted max HR, and 5 minutes cool-down.
Standard Medical Care and Nutritional ProtocolOther
All participants in both groups received standard physician-prescribed medical care (including oral iron supplementation) and a standardized, culturally tailored, cost-effective nutritional protocol rich in heme and non-heme iron with absorption enhancers (e.g., Vitamin C) and restriction of iron inhibitors.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Training Group (Group A) | Experimental | 30 female patients who received an 8-week structured treadmill aerobic exercise training program (3 sessions/week, 35-40 minutes/session at 60-70% of Age-Predicted Maximum Heart Rate) in addition to standard medical care (oral iron supplementation) and a standardized nutritional protocol. Receives: Behavioral: Treadmill Aerobic Exercise; Other: Standard Medical Care and Nutritional Protocol |
| Control Group (Group B) | Active comparator | 30 female patients maintained on standard medical care (oral iron supplementation) and the standardized nutritional protocol, without participating in structured exercise. Receives: Other: Standard Medical Care and Nutritional Protocol |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Physical Fitness Index (PFI)
A numerical metric used to quantify cardiovascular efficiency and aerobic tolerance, mathematically derived from the post-exercise heart rate recovery profile following the submaximal 3-minute Modified Harvard Step Test (MHST) using the formula: PFI = (Duration of exercise in seconds x 100) / (2 x (PR1 + PR2 + PR3)). Higher scores indicate better cardiovascular efficiency.
Measured: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) - SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS)
The physical component summary of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to evaluate physical quality of life, functional mobility, and physical role limitations. Scores are calculated using a standardized scoring algorithm; higher scores indicate better physical well-being (range 0 to 100).
Measured: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) - SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS)
The mental component summary of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to evaluate mental well-being, psychological domains, and emotional status. Scores are calculated using a standardized scoring algorithm; higher scores indicate better mental well-being (range 0 to 100).
Measured: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Estimated Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2max)
Systemic oxygen utilization capacity indirectly estimated using 1-minute post-exercise recovery heart rate data extracted from the submaximal 3-minute Modified Harvard Step Test (MHST) using the formula: VO2max (ml/kg/min) = 65.81 - (0.1847 x HRrecovery). Higher values indicate better aerobic capacity.
Measured: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)
Fatigue Severity (FACIT-Fatigue)
Subjective severity of pathological fatigue measured using the 13-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) scale. Patients rate statements regarding fatigue over the past 7 days on a 4-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 0 to 52, where higher scores indicate less fatigue and better quality of life.
Measured: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Jun 2026
- Study start15 Nov 2025
- Primary completion15 Jan 2026
- Study completion15 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Iron Deficiency Anemia TreatmentStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Horus University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mohamed Salah Saleh, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Nesreen Gharib Elnahas, Prof. Dr., Study chair, Cairo UniversityFarag A. Ali, Prof. Dr., Study director, Cairo UniversityAsmaa Mohammed Sharabash, Assistant Professor, Study director, Cairo UniversityMohamed Salah Saleh, M.Sc., Principal investigator, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07651098
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/006070
- Acronym
- ATT-QoL-IDA
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 16 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Aerobic Treadmill Training Improves Exercise Tolerance and Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adult Females With Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07651098
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ATT-QoL-IDA / P.T.REC/012/006070
- Keywords
- Treadmill Training, Aerobic Exercise, Quality of Life, Physical Fitness, Anemic Females
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Horus University
- Study start
- 15 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 16 Jun 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 randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of an 8-week structured treadmill aerobic training program on physical fitness and health-related quality of life in young adult females diagnosed with mild-to-moderate iron deficiency anemia. Sixty participants are randomly allocated into two equal groups of thirty. Group A (Experimental) receives standard daily oral iron therapy combined with a supervised moderate-intensity treadmill exercise program 3 times per week (30-40 minutes at 60-70% maximum heart rate). Group B (Control) receives standard oral iron therapy with no structured exercise. The study primary outcome measures the Physical Fitness Index (PFI) using the modified submaximal 3-minute Harvard Step Test, alongside secondary quality of life outcomes (SF-12 questionnaire), to prove that active cardiovascular training reverses physical deconditioning where iron supplements alone fall short.
Detailed description
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is deeply associated with marked fatigue, diminished neuromuscular efficiency, and cardiorespiratory deconditioning. While standard medical management relies purely on pharmacological iron supplements to normalize hematological indices, this approach does not directly restore functional aerobic capacity or skeletal muscle utilization efficiency.
This study employs a parallel-group randomized controlled trial design (1:1 allocation) comparing two approaches over 8 consecutive weeks:
- Experimental Group (Group A, n=30): Standard physician-prescribed oral iron supplementation plus a structured moderate-intensity treadmill aerobic exercise program (3 sessions per week, progressing from 35 to 40 minutes at 60-70% max HR), alongside standard nutrition guidelines (the '2-Hour Rule' for iron absorption and daily Blackstrap Molasses).
- Control Group (Group B, n=30): Standard physician-prescribed oral iron supplementation and nutritional guidelines alone, with no structured exercise program.
Functional physical fitness is evaluated at baseline and post-treatment using the Physical Fitness Index (PFI) derived from the submaximal 3-minute Harvard Step Test. Health-related quality of life is assessed via the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), evaluating both Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) dimensions. The research evaluates whether systematic physical therapy/aerobic work is a mandatory adjuvant to reverse physical deconditioning in young females.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Training Group (Group A) | Experimental | Behavioral: Treadmill Aerobic Exercise, Other: Standard Medical Care and Nutritional Protocol30 female patients who received an 8-week structured treadmill aerobic exercise training program (3 sessions/week, 35-40 minutes/session at 60-70% of Age-Predicted Maximum Heart Rate) in addition to standard medical care (oral iron supplementation) and a standardized nutritional protocol. |
| Control Group (Group B) | Active comparator | Other: Standard Medical Care and Nutritional Protocol30 female patients maintained on standard medical care (oral iron supplementation) and the standardized nutritional protocol, without participating in structured exercise. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 28 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age between 18 to 28 years.
- Biological females.
- Clinically diagnosed with mild-to-moderate Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), documented by laboratory Complete Blood Count (CBC) showing Hemoglobin (Hb) levels strictly between 9.0 and 12.0 g/dL, and serum ferritin levels ranging from 15 to 150 ng/mL.
- Hemodynamically stable and medically cleared to safely participate in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.
- Regularly receiving physician-prescribed standard medical care (e.g., oral iron supplementation)
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Severe anemia (Hemoglobin levels below 9.0 g/dL).
- Pregnancy or lactation.
- Chronic respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma or COPD.
- Acute or chronic cardiovascular instability (e.g., severe arrhythmias, uncontrolled hypertension, or structural heart disease).
- Affected by chronic diseases or adhering to regular medication regimens (other than prescribed iron).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Treadmill Aerobic ExerciseSupervised progressive treadmill walking program for 8 weeks, 3 times/week. Each session lasted 35-40 minutes including 5 minutes warm-up (at 2.0-3.0 km/h), 25-30 minutes active aerobic walking at 60-70% of age-predicted max HR, and 5 minutes cool-down. | Behavioural | Aerobic Training Group (Group A) |
| Standard Medical Care and Nutritional ProtocolAll participants in both groups received standard physician-prescribed medical care (including oral iron supplementation) and a standardized, culturally tailored, cost-effective nutritional protocol rich in heme and non-heme iron with absorption enhancers (e.g., Vitamin C) and restriction of iron inhibitors. | Other | Aerobic Training Group (Group A), Control Group (Group B) |
Primary outcome
Physical Fitness Index (PFI)
Time frame: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)
A numerical metric used to quantify cardiovascular efficiency and aerobic tolerance, mathematically derived from the post-exercise heart rate recovery profile following the submaximal 3-minute Modified Harvard Step Test (MHST) using the formula: PFI = (Duration of exercise in seconds x 100) / (2 x (PR1 + PR2 + PR3)). Higher scores indicate better cardiovascular efficiency.
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) - SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS)
Time frame: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)
The physical component summary of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to evaluate physical quality of life, functional mobility, and physical role limitations. Scores are calculated using a standardized scoring algorithm; higher scores indicate better physical well-being (range 0 to 100).
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) - SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS)
Time frame: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)
The mental component summary of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to evaluate mental well-being, psychological domains, and emotional status. Scores are calculated using a standardized scoring algorithm; higher scores indicate better mental well-being (range 0 to 100).
2 secondary outcomes
Estimated Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2max)
Time frame: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)
Fatigue Severity (FACIT-Fatigue)
Time frame: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Nesreen Gharib Elnahas, Prof. Dr. study chair
Cairo University
Farag A. Ali, Prof. Dr. study director
Cairo University
Asmaa Mohammed Sharabash, Assistant Professor study director
Cairo 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 Treadmill Aerobic Exercise and Standard Medical Care and Nutritional Protocol in people with Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment and Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 9 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Jun 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 Egypt. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Physical Fitness Index (PFI) (time frame: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)). The study lists 3 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 16 Jun 2026.