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Evaluation of Changes in the Ankle–Brachial Index Before and After Active Plantar Flexion in Patients with Hypertension
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Leili Yekefallah1    , Sareh Mohammadi , Simin Heidari *2 |
1- Professor of Nursing Special Care, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
2- Master of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran , sheidari404@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (15 Views) |
Background:
Early detection of peripheral vascular disorders in patients with hypertension is clinically important. The ankle–brachial index (ABI) is a simple and non-invasive tool used for screening peripheral arterial disease. This study aimed to evaluate changes in ABI before and after the active plantar flexion (APP) technique in patients with hypertension.
Material and Methods:
This semi-experimental before–after study was conducted on 147 patients with hypertension referred to medical centers in Karaj, Iran. Systolic blood pressure of the upper and lower limbs was measured using a sphygmomanometer and handheld Doppler, and ABI was calculated at baseline. Participants then performed 50 repetitions of active plantar flexion, after which ABI measurements were repeated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Results:
The mean right and left ABI values showed a statistically significant decrease after performing the APP technique compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, the increase in the number of abnormal ABI cases after the intervention was not statistically significant.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that resting ABI measurement alone is an appropriate and cost-effective method for initial screening of peripheral vascular disorders in patients with hypertension. Although the APP technique resulted in statistically significant changes in ABI, its additional clinical value in improving detection of abnormal cases was limited. The use of this technique may be considered as a complementary approach in specific populations, such as older patients. |
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| Keywords: Hypertension, Ankle–Brachial Index, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Screening, Active Plantar Flexion |
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Type of Study: Original |
Received: 2025/12/29 | Accepted: 2026/02/7 | Published: 2026/03/21
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