HYPERtension Reduction Through WALKing Stairs Versus Brisk Walking in Individuals With Increased Cardiometabolic Risk - The HYPERWALK Randomized Controlled Trial

Status: Recruiting
Location: See all (4) locations...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

This clinical trial investigates whether incorporating stair walking into daily routines improves physical health in adults at risk of lifestyle-related conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Participants will be randomized into three groups: (1) stair walking combined with brisk walking, (2) brisk walking alone, and (3) a control group receiving standard lifestyle advice without specific exercise instructions, stratified by age (\<65 y/o, v \>=65) and site. The primary objective is to assess whether the combination of stair and brisk walking leads to greater reductions in systolic blood pressure compared to brisk walking alone or standard care. Secondary outcomes include changes in cardiometabolic risk factors. Participants in the stair walking group will be instructed to climb ≥250 steps per day (\ 5.5 minutes/day or \ 37.5 minutes/week), or complete an equivalent elevation via inclined slopes, along with ≥75 minutes of brisk walking per week. Those in the brisk walking group will walk ≥150 minutes per week. The control group will receive general lifestyle advice but no tailored physical activity goals or feedback. Participants in both active groups will aim to double their baseline activity levels. Physical activity will be continuously monitored using wearable devices. The active groups will receive personalized feedback and motivational support throughout the 6-month intervention period. If effective, this study may offer a simple, scalable, and low-cost intervention model for use in clinical and public health settings, emphasizing personalized goals, remote monitoring, and behavioral support.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 35
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

∙ Men and women aged 35 years or older with increased cardiometabolic risk, defined by all of the following:

• Clinically confirmed hypertension, with or without antihypertensive treatment, as documented in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

• Overweight or obesity, defined as BMI between 27 and 40.

• Physically inactive lifestyle, defined as either:

‣ Light intensity or inactive category on the Stanford Brief Activity Survey (SBAS), or

⁃ Light intensity or inactive category in the physical activity section of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare Lifestyle Questionnaire.

Locations
Other Locations
Sweden
Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Huddinge
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Stockholm
Liljeholmen Primary Care Center
RECRUITING
Stockholm
Södersjukhuset
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Stockholm
Södertälje sjukhus
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Stockholm
Contact Information
Primary
Carl Johan Sundberg
carl.j.sundberg@ki.se
0046852480000
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-11-27
Estimated Completion Date: 2029-05
Participants
Target number of participants: 450
Treatments
Experimental: Stair and brisk walking combined
Participants will double their baseline physical activity levels by combining stair walking and brisk walking. The stair walking goal is ≥250 steps per day (equivalent to \~37.5-45 meters elevation or 15 floor levels), totaling \~37.5 minutes per week. In addition, they will complete ≥75 minutes of brisk walking per week.
Experimental: Brisk walking
Participants will double their baseline physical activity levels by engaging in brisk walking only, with a minimum target of \>150 minutes per week.
Active_comparator: Standard care
Participants will receive general lifestyle advice aligned with current physical activity guidelines but will not be provided with specific exercise instructions, personalized activity targets, or feedback. They will wear the same activity monitor as the intervention groups, but without access to feedback or goal-setting features.
Sponsors
Collaborators: Södersjukhuset (Stockholm South General Hospital), Boo vårdcentral, Karolinska University Hospital, Liljeholmens vårdcentral, Sodertalje Hospital, Ersta Cardiology Outpatient Clinic
Leads: Karolinska Institutet

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov