Clinical Research Directory

Foam Rolling and Blood Pressure

Foam rolling (FR) has emerged as a widely adopted modality among rehabilitation practitioners and physically active populations. Previous investigations on FR have reported improvements in joint range of motion, small to trivial enhancements in selected performance measures, attenuation of exercise-induced muscle soreness, and reductions in pain perception. While the evidence base supporting range-of-motion, performance, muscle soreness and pain sensitivity adaptations is relatively well developed, considerably less attention has been directed toward the blood pressure responses to FR and the potential underlying mechanisms. Consequently, the physiological impact of FR on cardiovascular regulation in healthy, normotensive young adults remains insufficiently characterized and requires further systematic investigation. An acute reduction in blood pressure may be postulated, potentially mediated by mechanisms involving changes in total peripheral resistance, which could be linked to modifications in tissue mechanical characteristics. In parallel, a contributory role of autonomic regulation cannot be excluded, as shifts in sympathetic and parasympathetic activity may also influence cardiovascular responses.

Normotensive OSA Patients With Dipper Circadian Blood Pressure Pattern

The principal objective is to evaluate the effect of CPAP treatment on blood pressure (BP) in normotensive patients with dipper circadian pattern with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). The secondary objectives are: i) To evaluate the prevalence of the different circadian patterns of BP in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) ii) To establish the relationship between CPAP compliance and BP response; iii) Identify which ABPM variables and biomarkers are related to BP response; iv) Evaluate changes in the biomarkers' profile with the CPAP treatment. Methodology: Open-label, parallel, prospective, randomized and controlled trial including normotensive patients diagnosed with severe SAHS without significant somnolence. 64 patients with dipper circadian pattern will be included and will be randomized to receive CPAP (32) or conservative treatment (32). ABPM and blood sample collection will be performed at the beginning of the study and at 3 months.