Remote Ischaemic Conditioning in the Older Person and Effects on Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
Remote Ischaemic Conditioning (RIC) is the process of inducing short periods of ischaemia in a limb with the aim of improving vascular health systemically. Recent findings have demonsatrated efficacy in a variety of clinical settings. However, the ideal protocol of RIC \[dose\] is unknown. Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation (dCA) has been shown to increase in response to RIC. The goal of this trial is to study whether an increase in RIC protocol intensity results in a larger effect on biomarkers of vascular health such as dCA. Participants shall: Receive RIC daily, RIC thrice weekly or sham RIC thrice weekly for 6 weeks Visit the School of Medicine at baseline and at 6 weeks for measurement of biomarkers of vascular health including blood pressure, indices od dCA and blood plasma samples
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study * Participant aged 65 - 85 * Participant is able to perform RIC independently at home Exclusion Criteria: * Active cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease (acute event within the last 12 months) * Atrial fibrillation or other significant arrhythmias * Peripheral Vascular Disease * Haemostatic disorders * Soft tissue injury or fracture to the upper limb * Pregnant or breast feeding * History or current psychiatric illness * History or current neurological condition (e.g. epilepsy) * Inability to identify temporal window for transcranial doppler ultrasound at screening visit * Any condition or presentation under current investigation that is deemed by the study clinician to exclude the participant from the study. * Having taken part in a research study in the last 3 months involving invasive procedures or an inconvenience allowance