NCT07205042

Walking for Hypothyroidism Trial (WHT)

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a 12-Week Walking Program on Metabolic and Psychophysiological Outcomes in Women With Hypothyroidism

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Karachi · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 35 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Women with hypothyroidism often report persistent fatigue, weight gain, autonomic dysregulation, and stress despite stable levothyroxine therapy. This single-center, parallel-group RCT will test whether a structured, supervised 12-week walking program improves basal metabolic rate (BMR) and psychophysiological outcomes compared with usual activity. One hundred twenty women aged 35-55 with stable primary hypothyroidism will be randomized 1:1 to intervention or control.

Detailed description

This trial evaluates a pragmatic, low-cost aerobic intervention-walking 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week at 55-65% HRmax for 12 weeks-as an adjunct to standard pharmacotherapy. Expected benefits: ↑BMR, ↑HRV, ↓cortisol, ↓fatigue, and improved mood. Outcome assessors/statisticians are masked; allocation is concealed. Safety monitoring covers musculoskeletal events, cardiovascular symptoms, and thyroid-related issues.

Conditions

• Hypothyroidism

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Supervised Walking Program	A structured walking program consisting of 30 minutes per session, 5 sessions per week, for 12 weeks at 55-65% of age-predicted maximum heart rate. Sessions will be supervised by an exercise physiologist, with adherence monitored by heart rate tracking and attendance logs. Participants will continue their standard levothyroxine treatment but will not begin any new structured exercise programs.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-11-01
• Primary completion: 2026-04-30
• Completion: 2026-06-30
• First posted: 2025-10-03
• Last updated: 2025-10-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan