Effectiveness of Passive Mobilization on Vascular Function of Bedridden Oldest Old

With aging, vascular function (VF) declines. Inactivity and sedentary life style have been shown to contribute to the worsening of VF. Furthermore, bed rest, a condition commonly used for the management of many chronic conditions, has been proven to lead to even more deleterious consequences, including VF decline. This study evaluates the effect of passive mobilization of the lower limbs on VF in bedridden oldest-old. Half of the participants will undergo passive mobilization treatment in addition to standard therapies, while the other half will receive only standard therapies. We hypothesize that passive mobilization may improve nitric oxide (NO)-mediated endothelial function.