Ankle-foot Orthoses for Peripheral Artery Disease

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an ankle foot orthoses (AFO) on the primary outcome of peak walking time (PWT) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Detailed Description
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The investigators will test the hypothesis that PAD patients using an AFO during a graded exercise test will demonstrate a greater PWT compared to PWT assessed without the use of an AFO. Secondary hypotheses include evaluation of the effect of an AFO on: 1) calf muscle function, 2) claudication onset time, 3) functional ability, 4) peak oxygen consumption, and 5) patient-reported outcomes. We will also examine the effects of the AFO on outcomes following 12 weeks of community walking.

Official Title
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Efficacy of Ankle-Foot Orthoses on Walking Ability in Peripheral Artery Disease: The AFO for PAD Trial I

Conditions
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Peripheral Artery Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: AFO to improve outcomes


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Men and women diagnosed with atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Patients who experience calf claudication ≥40 years of age An abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) of ≤.90. For patients with an ABI >.90 and <1.00, a post-exercise ABI drop of 15% or more compared to the resting ABI Exclusion Criteria: Lower extremity amputation(s) which interfere(s) with walking. Critical limb ischemia (i.e., ischemic rest pain, ulcers/gangrene on the lower extremities). Non-atherosclerotic PAD (e.g., popliteal entrapment syndrome, Takayasu's arteritis) Major surgical procedures that are contraindicated to an exercise program (e.g., recent organ transplant) or coronary artery bypass graft within 6 months prior to screening. Primarily limitations to exercise due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, angina or heart failure. Myocardial infarction within 3 months prior to screening. Acute coronary syndrome symptoms diagnosed at time of screening. Significant ischemic changes (documented on the 12-lead electrocardiogram) with horizontal or down-sloping ST-segment depression ≥ 0.5mm at rest and >1 mm with exercise in 3 beats for 2 contiguous leads, relative to the PR-segment (or ST-segment elevation ≥1mm). Transient ischemic attack or stroke 3 months prior to screening. New left bundle branch block or sustained ventricular tachycardia >30 seconds during screening. Uncontrolled hypertension defined as ≥180 systolic or ≥100 diastolic resting blood pressure during screening. Women who are pregnant (women of childbearing potential, a pregnancy test will be performed at screening. Individuals currently incarcerated. Evidence of acute impairment from alcohol or other illicit drugs. Lack of diabetes control (glycated hemoglobin >12%) Patients who are anemic (Hgb <11 g/dL for women and <10 g/dL for men). Any other clinically significant diseases (e.g., pulmonary, renal, psychiatric, immunological) that are not stabilized or may otherwise confound the results of the study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: AFO to improve outcomes<br>Patients completed graded treadmill testing, followed by 12 weeks of unstructured community-based walking using the AFO ad libitum | Device: AFO to improve outcomes<br>* Ankle foot orthoses (AFO) are light-weight, low profile carbon fiber devices that store and release energy during ambulation. The AFO, in combination with standard of care advice to walk more, will be used to determine if there is any improvement in PAD patient outcomes.<br>|
| No Intervention: Historical Controls<br>Historical PAD control group (n = 10) received upfront advice to walk at home with no intervention | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in WIQ Distance Subscore | In the Walking Impairment Questionnaire distance subcategory, participants are asked to rate the degree of difficulty walking specific distances on a scale from 0 to 4. A score of 0 indicates the inability to walk the distance specified by the question while a score of 4 represents no difficulty. The graded sub-score is multiplied by a pre-specified weight for each sub-category: distance, speed, and number of flights of stairs. The products of these subscores are summed and divided by the maximum possible score to obtain a percent score, ranging from 0 (inability to perform item) to 100 (no difficulty in performing item). | 12 weeks | 
| Change in WIQ Speed Subscore | In the Walking Impairment Questionnaire speed subcategory, participants are asked to rate the degree of difficulty walking one block at specific speeds, ranging from walking slowly to jogging, on a scale from 0 to 4. A score of 0 indicates the inability to walk the distance specified by the question while a score of 4 represents no difficulty. The graded sub-score is multiplied by a pre-specified weight for each sub-category: distance, speed, and number of flights of stairs. The products of these subscores are summed and divided by the maximum possible score to obtain a percent score, ranging from 0 (inability to perform item) to 100 (no difficulty in performing item). | 12 weeks | 
| Change in WIQ Stair-Climbing Subscore | In the Walking Impairment Questionnaire stair-climbing subcategory, participants are asked to rate the degree of difficulty climbing a specified number of stair flights, ranging from 1 to 3 stair flights, on a graded scale of 0 to 4. A score of 0 indicates the inability to climb the flights specified by the question while a score of 4 represents no difficulty. The graded sub-score is multiplied by a pre-specified weight for each sub-category: distance, speed, and number of flights of stairs. The products of these subscores are summed and divided by the maximum possible score to obtain a percent score, ranging from 0 (inability to perform item) to 100 (no difficulty in performing item). | 12 weeks | 
| Change in SF-36 PCS | Change in Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item questionnaire, Physical Component Summary The SF-36 has eight scaled subscores (Vitality, Physical functioning, Bodily pain, General health perceptions, Physical role functioning, Emotional role functioning, Social role functioning, Mental health). These subscores are weighted sums of the questions in each section. Scores range from 0 - 100. Lower scores = more disability, higher scores = less disability. | 12 weeks | 
| Change in SF-36 MCS | Change in Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item questionnaire, Mental Component Summary The SF-36 has eight scaled subscores (Vitality, Physical functioning, Bodily pain, General health perceptions, Physical role functioning, Emotional role functioning, Social role functioning, Mental health). These subscores are weighted sums of the questions in each section. Scores range from 0 - 100. Lower scores = more disability, higher scores = less disability. | 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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claudication, ankle foot orthoses, community walking exercise