A home based exercise program for claudication

January 01, 0001

A home based exercise program for claudication

These US researchers looked at whether patients with claudication would benefit and comply with a home based exercise program compared with a supervised exercise program and a control. There performed a prospective, randomized, controlled trial (n=119, 29 home-based program, 33 supervised exercise, and 30 usual-care control). The exercise programs were composed of intermittent walking to the point of near maximal claudication pain, and adherence was confirmed with step monitors.

The researchers found: "Adherence to home-based and supervised exercise was similar and exceeded 80%. Both exercise programs increased claudication onset time and peak walking time, whereas only home-based exercise increased daily average cadence. No changes were seen in the control group. The changes in claudication onset time and peak walking time were similar between the 2 exercise groups, whereas the change in daily average cadence was greater with home-based exercise."

The researchers concluded: "A home-based exercise program, quantified with a step activity monitor, has high adherence and is efficacious in improving claudication measures similar to a standard supervised exercise program. Furthermore, home-based exercise appears more efficacious in increasing daily ambulatory activity in the community setting than supervised exercise."

A home based exercise program is effective for treating intermittent claudication.


For the full abstract, click here.

Circulation 123(5):491-498, 8 February 2011
© 2011 American Heart Association, Inc
Efficacy of Quantified Home-Based Exercise and Supervised Exercise in Patients With Intermittent Claudication: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Andrew W. Gardner, Donald E. Parker, Polly S. Montgomery, Kristy J. Scott, Steve M. Blevins. Correspondence to Andrew W. Gardner: [email protected]

Category: K. Circulatory. Keywords: claudication, exercise, home, peripheral vascular disease, activity, randomized controlled trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 1 April 2011

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