Supervised walking therapy in patients with intermittent claudication

Abstract

SWT is effective in improving MWD and PFWD in patients with IC. However, pooled results from the RCTs did not identify any of the exercise components including intensity, duration, or content of the program as being independently associated with improvements in MWD or PFWD.

Gender differences following supervised exercise therapy in patients with intermittent claudication

“…37 There is uncertainty about the optimal duration of SET resulting in maximally improved walking distances. 38 Previous research on optimal length of SET programs has found the greatest improvement in walking distance during the first 2 months of therapy, 39 which is in accordance with our findings. Both groups of the present study received a similar number of training sessions and were engaged in a similar amount of treadmill walking.…”

Minimally Important Difference of the Absolute and Functional Claudication Distance in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

“…In general, a 50e200% improvement of ACD has been reported. 19 Besides, as walking on the ground requires higher ground reaction forces and movement power compared with treadmill walking, 20 it may also be possible that an increase in treadmill based walking distance of approximately 100 m is insufficient to reveal any effect on walking distance in daily life. These findings might suggest that SET should not only be focused on treadmill walking, but should additionally include outdoor walking and strength training.…”

Utilization of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers Is Important to Assess Treatment Effects on Exercise Capacity in Patients With Intermittent Claudication

“…12 Moreover, among the exercise therapies available, supervised exercise therapy (SET), which is programmed training under the supervision of trained physiotherapists or doctors, has been demonstrated to provide better results than non-interventional exercise. 13 However, a large, randomized controlled trial for patients with IC and superficial femoral arterial disease that compared SET with EVT or combined treatment (EVT plus SET) found no difference among the groups after 1 year of intervention. 14 Considering the cost of EVT (using stents) and the risk of operative complications, including incidental occlusion of collateral vessels, which would exacerbate ischemia, the ideal treatment strategy for patients with IC seems to be SET plus best medical treatment (BMT) rather than EVT, at present.…”