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Exercise Training for Vascular Health in Mental Health Disorders

This study is looking at how different types of exercise training affect blood vessel health in people with mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), as well as in healthy individuals. You could be eligible if you are between 18 and 35 years old and meet specific criteria for PTSD, GAD, or are considered healthy. The study aims to see if exercise training, specifically muscular strength training or muscular fitness training, can improve how well your arm and leg blood vessels work, both at rest and during exercise. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll 240 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 240 participants. Participants will be assigned to one of two weightlifting programs: muscular strength training or muscular fitness training.
What's involved
You would participate in five testing sessions over about 14 weeks, including an initial visit, two visits for blood vessel health tests with antioxidant or placebo pills, and two additional identical testing days. You would also complete ten weeks of exercise training, 3-5 days per week, and two visits to test endurance or strength.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your arm and leg vascular function will be measured from baseline to the end of the final visit, which is about 14 weeks.

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NCT04916340

Examining the Impact of Exercise Training on Vascular Dysfunction in Individuals With Mental Health Disorders - Study 3

Recruiting
NAAges 18–35InterventionalBasic science
Virginia Commonwealth University
~240 participants
Updated 2026-04-01 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Muscular Strength Training GroupMuscular Fitness Training Group

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Arm Vascular Function at Rest (Flow Mediated Dilation Test)
Measured over Baseline to the end of the final visit, about 14 weeks
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Peripheral Vascular Diseases

Explore related trials

Generalized Anxiety DisorderPeripheral Vascular DisorderPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Virginia1

Study leadership

  • Ryan Garten, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Virginia Commonwealth University

Who to contact

Ryan Garten, PhD
[email protected]
(804) 828-1948
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

apparently healthy and free of overt cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease
for PTSD group, a score of ≥ 33 on PCL-5 checklist
for GAD group, a score of ≥ 10 on the GAD-7 self-report scale and \< 33 on the PCL-5 checklist
for Healthy Control group, a score of ≤ 10 on the GAD-7 self-report scale and \< 33 on the PCL-5 checklist

Exclusion

taking medications that could influence cardiovascular function
current smokers who have recently quit smoking
illicit drug use or excessive alcohol consumption
pregnant women
significant calorie restriction or vitamin/mineral deficiencies
limited English proficiency

What this trial measures

  • Arm Vascular Function at Rest (Flow Mediated Dilation Test)Baseline to the end of the final visit, about 14 weeks

    Change in Brachial Artery Dilation from Baseline Values

  • Leg Vascular Function (Passive Leg Movement Test)Baseline to the end of the final visit, about 14 weeks

    Change in Leg Blood Flow Values from Baseline

  • Arm Vascular Function in Response to Exercise (Handgrip Exercise Test)Baseline to the end of the final visit, about 14 weeks

    Change in Brachial Artery Dilation from Baseline Values