scholarly journals Treatment for intermittent claudication and the effects on walking distance and quality of life

Vascular ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
L M Kruidenier ◽  
W Viechtbauer ◽  
S P Nicolaï ◽  
H Büller ◽  
M H Prins ◽  
...  

The objective of the study was to provide an overview of the most common treatments for intermittent claudication and to determine the effectiveness in improving walking distance and quality of life based on a combination of direct and indirect evidence. We included trials that compared: angioplasty, surgery, exercise therapy or no treatment for intermittent claudication. Outcome measurements were walking distance (maximum, pain-free) and quality of life (physical, mental). We used a network meta-analysis model for the combination of direct and indirect evidence. We included 42 studies, presenting 3106 participants. The network meta-analysis showed that supervised exercise therapy (Δ = 1.62, P < 0.01), angioplasty (Δ = 1.89, P < 0.01) and surgery (Δ = 2.72, P = 0.02) increased walking distance significantly more than no treatment. Furthermore, supervised exercise therapy (Δ = 0.60, P < 0.01), angioplasty (Δ = 0.91, P = 0.01) and surgery (Δ = 1.07, P < 0.01) increased physical quality of life more than no treatment. However, in the sensitivity analysis, only supervised exercise therapy had additional value over no symptomatic treatment (Δ = 0.66, P < 0.01). In conclusion, this network meta-analysis indicates that supervised exercise therapy is more effective in both increasing walking distance and physical quality of life, compared with no treatment. Angioplasty and surgery also increase walking distance, compared with no treatment, but results for physical quality of life are less convincing.

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Schrøder ◽  
Kirsten A. Boisen ◽  
Jesper Reimers ◽  
Grete Teilmann ◽  
Jesper Brok

AbstractPurposeWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies assessing quality of life in adolescents and young adults born with CHD compared with age-matched controls.MethodsWe carried out a systematic search of the literature published in Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library’s Database (1990–2013); two authors independently extracted data from the included studies. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa scale for quality assessment of studies. A random effects meta-analysis model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2-test.ResultsWe included 18 studies with 1786 patients. The studies were of acceptable-to-good quality. The meta-analysis of six studies on quality of life showed no significant difference – mean difference: −1.31; 95% confidence intervals: −6.51 to +3.89, I2=90.9% – between adolescents and young adults with CHD and controls. Similar results were found in 10 studies not eligible for the meta-analysis. In subdomains, it seems that patients had reduced physical quality of life; however, social functioning was comparable or better compared with controls.ConclusionFor the first time in a meta-analysis, we have shown that quality of life in adolescents and young adults with CHD is not reduced when compared with age-matched controls.


Author(s):  
Sean Pymer ◽  
Said Ibeggazene ◽  
Joanne Palmer ◽  
George E. Smith ◽  
Amy E. Harwood ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundUptake and completion rates for supervised exercise programmes (SEP) for patients with intermittent claudication (IC) are low. Current exercise prescription is a one size fits all approach, based on claudication pain thresholds, potentially limiting individual benefits. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has the potential to overcome these barriers as it is a more time-efficient, objectively prescribed exercise programme. This study aimed to assess a novel HIIT programme for patients with IC in terms of safety, feasibility, tolerability and indicators of efficacy.Design/MethodsPatients referred to a usual-care SEP were invited to undertake an alternative HIIT programme. All recruited patients performed a baseline cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), to inform their exercise prescription. HIIT involved ten, one-minute high-intensity intervals on a stationary cycle ergometer interspersed with one-minute recovery intervals, performed three times per week for six-weeks. Outcomes included safety, feasibility, tolerability, walking distance and quality of life (QoL).Results144 patients with IC were referred, 95 met initial eligibility criteria (66%) and 30 (32%) were recruited for HIIT, of which 15 (50%) completed. Of the recruited patients, 90% were on optimal medical therapy and 40% had concomitant cardiac, cerebrovascular and/or respiratory disease.One serious adverse event was recorded and patients who completed the programme attended 100% of the sessions. Improvements in walking distances and quality of life were observed. Following recruitment of the first 20 patients, the inclusion criteria was refined on the basis of CPET, leading to improved completion rates.ConclusionThe study provides preliminary findings indicating that patients with IC can complete a short-term HIIT programme. HIIT also appears safe, well-tolerated and although not formally powered, walking distances and QoL appear to improve following HIIT. Further research to evaluate the role of HIIT in patients with IC seems warranted.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maj Siercke ◽  
Sanne Pagh Moller ◽  
Lau Caspar Thygesen ◽  
Henrik Sillesen ◽  
Dorthe Overgaard

Aim: This study aimed to explore how qualitative data about rehabilitation for patients with intermittent claudication do provide an enhanced understanding of the quantitative experimental results. Background: The study was a randomized clinical trial comparing a rehabilitation intervention with usual care. A statistically significant difference between rehabilitation and usual care was found in walking distance, physical activity, quality of life and diet. The findings from the quantitative and qualitative analyses were analysed separately on their own tradition. In this study, mixed methods address whether the qualitative results could help explain the quantitative results and bring forward additional information. Design: Complex mixed-method intervention design with a convergent questionnaire variant. Methods: From April 2017- May 2019, patients diagnosed with intermittent claudication were included in a randomized clinical trial (N=118). In addition, qualitative interview informants from the intervention group were sampled from the quantitative study population for a survey (N=43) and focus group interviews (N=10). Interviews were conducted from April 2018-August 2019. Results: Integrated analyses identified how improvement in walking distance, physical activity, diet and quality of life was affected by team spirit, pedometer, education and fun exercise in a local setting. Quantitative and qualitative findings primarily confirmed and expanded each other; however, two discordant results were also evident. Conclusion: Our study adds empirical evidence regarding how a mixed-methods study can be used to obtain a more nuanced understanding of complex healthcare problems. The study provides new knowledge concerning how to set up a rehabilitation programme for patients with intermittent claudication.


Vascular ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert-Jan Lauret ◽  
Daniëlle C W van Dalen ◽  
Edith M Willigendael ◽  
Erik J M Hendriks ◽  
Rob A de Bie ◽  
...  

Intermittent claudication (IC) has a high prevalence in the older population and is closely associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. High mortality rates are reported due to ongoing atherosclerotic disease. Because of these serious health risks, treatment of IC should address reduction of cardiovascular events (and related morbidity/mortality) and improvement of the poor health-related quality of life (QoL) and functional capacity. In several randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews, supervised exercise therapy (SET) is compared with non-supervised exercise, usual care, placebo, walking advice or vascular interventions. The current evidence supports SET as the primary treatment for IC. SET improves maximum walking distance and health-related QoL with a marginal risk of co-morbidity or mortality. This is also illustrated in contemporary international guidelines. Community-based SET appears to be at least as efficacious as programs provided in a clinical setting. In the Netherlands, a national integrated care network (ClaudicatioNet) providing specialized care for patients with IC is currently being implemented. Besides providing a standardized form of SET, the specialized physical therapists stimulate medication compliance and perform lifestyle coaching. Future research should focus on the influence of co-morbidities on prognosis and effect of SET outcome and the potential beneficial effects of SET combined with a vascular intervention.


Author(s):  
Susan Matthews ◽  
Martin Fox ◽  
Sarah Coy ◽  
Jane Whittaker ◽  
Gail Brough ◽  
...  

Background/Aims Peripheral arterial disease is common among those aged 60 years or above and can cause debilitating intermittent claudication. This impacts quality of life and is a marker for increased morbidity and mortality, mainly from cardiovascular disease. Access to recommended exercise programmes for people with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease is poor in most areas of the UK. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of expanding an established cardiac rehabilitation service to accommodate supervised exercise for people with peripheral arterial disease Methods The study evaluated 11 participants peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication who were referred by the Manchester leg circulation service. Participants underwent the programme involving eight weekly 1.5 hour sessions of supervised exercise and cardiovascular education with support, reassurance and motivation. The participants' blood pressure, walking impairment, quality of life, anxiety and depression were monitored and reviewed. Results Overall, the participants' walking distance, intermittent claudication, quality of life and blood pressure had improved. The participants' overall satisfaction with the programme was excellent. The programme also demonstrated clinical and cost-effectiveness. Conclusions A structured, supervised exercise programme can have considerable benefits for people with peripheral arterial disease, improving their symptoms and quality of life. It may also help to reduce the morbidity and mortality risks associated with inactivity in this patient group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Machin ◽  
Laura Hayward ◽  
Lindsey Harris ◽  
Vijay Gadhvi ◽  
Ankur Thapar

Abstract Aim To assess feasibility of a novel remotely-supervised exercise programme at a vascular hub during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods Participants with arterial claudication (ABPI &lt;0.90) who were able to walk 50m were enrolled into a 3-month programme by a vascular specialist nurse. The initial appointment addressed smoking cessation and best medical therapy. Baseline walking distance, ABPI and quality of life (QoL) were measured using the Intermittent Claudication Questionnaire. Following this, up to 8 WhatsApp video calls with a vascular specialist physiotherapist were undertaken to provide a tailored exercise programme. The Mapmywalk© App, or a pedometer, were used to monitor walking distances. Participants were instructed to record their daily longest walk and email results to their physiotherapist before each consultation. Results 12 participants were enrolled, of these 2 participants were unsuitable. Median age was 63 years and 2 (20%) were female. Baseline median ABPI was 0.7 (IQR 0.5-0.8), median baseline absolute walking distance was 75m (IQR 50-140) and median baseline QoL was 51/80 (IQR 15-79). 7 participants (70%) successfully completed the programme and were discharged. Their median daily longest walk was 2000m (IQR 200-4000) and QoL scores improved to 6/80 (IQR 2-20) (p = 0.02). Remaining 3 participants required revascularisation for disease progression. Reimbursement tariffs for the supervised exercise programme were £700 per patient, whereas for revascularisation were £2000 - £5000. Conclusion Remotely supervised exercise was feasible and improved walking distance and quality of life in 70% of participants. Approximately £3000 per patient was saved from a reduction in revascularisation procedures in our unit.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document