Thank you for your interest in the study.
The Human Pharmacology & Physiology Lab (HPPL) is part of the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke and is located on the Fourth floor of the Duke Clinics.

The purpose of this study is to test the impact of lower body negative pressure (vacuum or suction) and lower body positive pressure (compression) on exercise capacity, blood volume distribution,  and hemodynamics (ie blood pressure). 

This study involves one visit of about 5 hours to the HPPL at Duke and a follow up phone call 48hours after participation. During your study visit, you will undergo a health questionaire, medical examination, urine/blood testing, blood volume analysis (optional), and complete 3 rounds of light to moderate exercise on a stationary bike. One round of exercise at normal room pressure, one round of exercise with negative pressure applied to your legs and belly, and one round of exercise with postivie pressure applied to your legs and belly. Each round of exercise and exposure to changes in pressure will last about 5 minutes, for a total of 15 mins of exercise across the entire study. You will also wear a various fitness trackers during the study.

Please consider joining this study if you:

  • at least 30 years old
  • are in general good health (no heart, lung, or neurological conditions)
  • are able to pedal a stationary bike

This study will be performed by the HPPL study team with Dr. MacLeod (Attending Anesthesiologist) and Dr. Fudim (Attending Cardiologist) supervising the study.

Completion of the survey will help determine if you are eligible to participate in this study.
You will be asked some questions that would help the research staff determine if you qualify for the research study. It
will take about 5 minutes to complete the survey questions and will provide information about your medical history.
Answering these questions is completely voluntary. You are under no obligation to answer them, and if you decide
not to answer the questions then this will have no effect on your health care at Duke Health in the future. It does
mean, however, that you will not be eligible to participate in this research study. If at any time during this screening
survey you would like to stop and not continue any further, you are free to do so.

If you do qualify for the study and decide to participate, you will be contacted by a member of the study team for a phone screening. The research team member will provide a detailed explanation of the study and you will have the opportunity to ask questions related to the study. Once you are satisfied, the research team member will ask you to sign the informed consent form (ICF). You can choose to have a
paper copy of the signed ICF given to you or request a PDF copy be sent to your email address. The study team will schedule you for your visit to the HPPL to participate in the study. Research activities can only occur after you have signed the ICF.
If you are determined to not be eligible for the study your collected data will be discarded.
Study participants will receive compensation.
You can fill out a survey on this site if you want us to contact you about the study.
Please complete the survey below.
Thank you!

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