6-Weeks of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Immune Cell Function and Bioenergetics

NCT07676305 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: H25-02870-chronic
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

To conduct a randomized control trial to determine the impact of 6-weeks of blood flow restriction training on immune cell function and bioenergetics in adults living with type 2 diabetes.

Conditions

Type 2 Diabetes

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in T-cell oxygen consumption rate (OCR) measured before and after the 6-week intervention

  T-cell OCR will be measured using a Seahorse Analyzer at baseline and after the 6-week intervention.

  0-6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (26)

• Change in CD4 expression before and after the 6-week intervention

  0-6 weeks

• Change in CD8 expression before and after the 6-week intervention

  The CD8 expression will be measured using flow cytometry at baseline and after the 6-week intervention.

• Change in % of T regulatory cells before and after the 6-week intervention

  0-6 weeks

• Change in % of Th1 cells before and after the 6-week intervention

  0-6 weeks

• Change in % of Th2 cells before and after the 6-week intervention

  The % Th2 cells will be measured using flow cytometry at baseline and after the 6-week intervention.

Study Arms (2)

Treadmill walking with blood flow restriction

EXPERIMENTAL

Treadmill walking with blood flow restriction performed 3 days per week for 6 weeks.

Other: Exercise

Treadmill Walking

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Treadmill walking performed 3 days per week for 6 weeks.

Other: Exercise

Interventions

Exercise OTHER

In both groups participants will complete treadmill walking on 3 days per week for 6 weeks. During the first week participants will walk continuously for 21 minutes during each training session which will be increased to 32 minutes per training session for weeks 2-6. In both groups the treadmill speed and grade will be set to elicit 40-50% heart rate reserve. In the BFR group the cuffs will be inflated based on each participants individualized limb occlusion pressure (LOP). The cuffs will remain inflated for the entire session but will deflate for 1 min every 10 min based on safety recommendations. The percentage of LOP will progressively increase over the course of the intervention. Weeks 1 and 2 will be completed at 60% LOP, after which pressure will increase by 5% each subsequent week, corresponding to 65%, 70%, 75%, and 80% LOP during weeks 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively.

Treadmill Walking; Treadmill walking with blood flow restriction

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 64 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• A. Aged 19-64 years. B. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with current HbA1c 5.7-9.0% C. Completing \<150 minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity per week.

You may not qualify if:

• A. Chronic musculoskeletal condition or recent (within 2 years) cardiovascular event preventing participation in exercise.
• B. Unstable type 2 diabetes medication of the last 3 months C. Absolute contraindications to BFR (i.e., peripheral vascular disease) D. A self-reported diagnosis of low iron concentrations, anemia, or being treated for these conditions E. A diagnosis of any red blood cell-altering condition (i.e., sickle cell anemia, poikilocytosis) F. Currently living with any cardiovascular disease, which would impact the ability to participate in exercise safely G. Currently prescribed any medication which would impact the ability to use a heart rate monitor to accurately track intensity

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of British Columbia: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of British Columbia Okanagan

Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 1V7, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Diabetes Mellitus; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Endocrine System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Jonathan P Little, PhD

CONTACT

250-807-9876; jonathan.little@ubc.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 23, 2026
• First Posted: June 30, 2026
• Study Start: February 11, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Last Updated: June 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Locations

CA (1)