In claudication patients , SE is more effective than UE at improving maximal walking and claudication distances , yet there is no difference in general quality of life or patient-reported community-based walking .
BACKGROUND Supervised exercise ( SE ) is widely accepted as an effective therapy for intermittent claudication ( IC ) , but its use is limited by cost .
Unsupervised exercise ( UE ) represents a less costly alternative .
We assessed the comparative effectiveness of SE vs UE in patients with IC .
One-year effect of a supervised exercise programme on functional capacity and quality of life in peripheral arterial disease
Purpose : Peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) is a chronic , progressive disease with a significant cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk burden and a considerable impact on functional capacity and quality of life ( QoL ) . Exercise programmes result in significant improvements in walking distances but long-term effects are uncertain . The aim of this study was to assess the one-year effects of participation in a 12-week supervised exercise programme on functional capacity and QoL for PAD patients . Methods : Patients were r and omly allocated to a control ( n = 16 ) or an exercise ( n = 28 ) group . Data regarding functional capacity ( Walking Impairment Question naire WIQ ) , disease-specific QoL ( Intermittent Claudication Question naire ICQ ) and generic QoL ( SF-36 ) were collected at baseline , 12 weeks and 1 year . Results : At 12 weeks , there was a trend towards improved QoL in both groups , with a tendency for greater improvement in the exercise group ( p = 0.066 ) and a trend towards improved functional capacity ( WIQ Stair-climbing p = 0.093 ) in the exercise group . At 1 year , ICQ scores in the exercise group were considerably better than those in the control group ( p = 0.058 ) , reflecting improved QoL and maintenance of benefits . Conclusions : Participation in a supervised exercise programme results in improvements in functional capacity and QoL at 1 year post-participation . Implication s for Rehabilitation Peripheral arterial disease has a considerable impact on functional capacity and quality of life Functional capacity and quality of life are improved in patients with peripheral arterial disease up to 1 year post-participation in supervised exercise Improvements at 1 year are reduced from those noted immediately following an exercise
In claudication patients , SE is more effective than UE at improving maximal walking and claudication distances , yet there is no difference in general quality of life or patient-reported community-based walking .
BACKGROUND Supervised exercise ( SE ) is widely accepted as an effective therapy for intermittent claudication ( IC ) , but its use is limited by cost .
Unsupervised exercise ( UE ) represents a less costly alternative .
We assessed the comparative effectiveness of SE vs UE in patients with IC .