Buerger-Allen Exercises and Peripheral Circulation in Sedentary Office Workers

Sedentary behavior and prolonged sitting are associated with impaired venous return, reduced peripheral blood flow, endothelial dysfunction, and increased cardiovascular risk. Office workers who remain seated for extended periods may experience lower extremity discomfort, edema, and early circulatory impairment.

Buerger-Allen exercises are position-based therapeutic exercises that involve sequential elevation, dependency, and horizontal rest of the lower limbs. These exercises are designed to promote arterial inflow, facilitate venous return, and enhance tissue perfusion without requiring specialized equipment. Previous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects in patients with peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, but evidence regarding their acute effects in healthy sedentary adults is limited.

This study will use a quasi-experimental single-group pretest-posttest design to investigate the immediate effects of Buerger-Allen exercises on lower extremity circulation in sedentary office workers. A total of 35 participants aged 18 to 45 years will be recruited from Istanbul Gelisim University. All participants will complete a standardized 20-minute Buerger-Allen exercise protocol.

Primary outcome measures will include skin surface temperature assessed with infrared thermometry, capillary refill time, ankle-brachial index, peripheral oxygen saturation, and heart rate. Measurements will be performed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 10 minutes after the intervention.

The study is expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of a simple and low-cost physiotherapy intervention for improving peripheral circulation and preventing the adverse vascular effects associated with prolonged sedentary behavior.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy sedentary office workers
• Age between 18 and 45 years
• Sitting for at least 6 hours per day for work-related activities
• Not meeting regular physical activity recommendations
• Willing to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• History of peripheral arterial disease, deep vein thrombosis, or other vascular disorders
• Cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions that may affect lower extremity circulation or prevent exercise participation
• Diabetes mellitus
• Current smoking
• Pregnancy
• Use of medications that may significantly affect peripheral circulation
• Lower extremity injury or surgery within the previous 6 months
• Participation in regular structured exercise programs