Clinical trial NCT00719355: Polestriding Versus Walking for Subjects With Poor Leg Circulation
Official title: Polestriding Versus Walking for PAD Rehabilitation
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: PHASE2
Conditions: Peripheral Arterial Disease
Lead sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
First posted: 2008-07-21
Enrollment: 146
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 21
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of polestriding (walking with poles) and traditional walking on physical endurance in subjects with poor circulation in their legs. Another goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of a walking program in increasing the amount of oxygen in the calf muscles and therefore improving overall physical activity and quality of life.

Detailed description: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD/PVD) is caused by decreased blood flow to the legs. The most common symptom is intermittent claudication pain during walking that is relieved by rest. Walking is the primary treatment prescribed for PAD rehabilitation. Polestriding uses muscles of the upper and lower body in a continuous movement. Walking with poles increases stride length, cadence and walking speed and decreases ground reaction forces on the joints. Subjects in this study will participate in a walking program with or without poles.

Dr. Collins' research focuses on physical activity interventions to improve the functional status of persons with chronic illness. Several rehabilitation studies have tested the efficacy of walking exercise for patients with PAD. Studies on polestriding indicate that it may be superior to traditional walking, but these two methods have never been compared. Approximately 30% of patients with coronary artery disease have PAD as their only symptom. As the population ages and more people are affected by this debilitating condition, nurse-initiated rehabilitative therapies, such as polestriding, need to be explored. The consent form explains the purpose of the study in addition to the procedures, risks, benefits, options, confidentiality, costs, and compensation. Participants are also asked to sign a HIPPA authorization.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Peripheral Vascular Disease
* Cramping/Claudication Pain in legs while walking
* Ankle Brachial Index (measure of circulation by doppler) .90 or less

Exclusion Criteria:

* Ulcers or sores on feet or legs
* Unable to walk or confined to a wheelchair
* Amputations or severe arthritis pain in shoulders, knees, or hips
* Medical conditions which would exclude subject from participating in an exercise program
* Vascular Surgery within the last six months, or planning vascular surgery

Primary outcomes:
measure: Length of Exercise Duration on the Treadmill Constant Work Rate Exercise Test
timeFrame: Baseline and 24 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Onset of Claudication Pain During Constant Work Rate Treadmill Test
timeFrame: At 24 weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Hines
country: United States
facility: Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
state: Illinois
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago
name: Eileen Collins, RN, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Collins EG, Langbein WE, Orebaugh C, Bammert C, Hanson K, Reda D, Edwards LC, Littooy FN. Cardiovascular training effect associated with polestriding exercise in patients with peripheral arterial disease. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2005 May-Jun;20(3):177-85. doi: 10.1097/00005082-200505000-00009.
citation: Collins EG, Edwin Langbein W, Orebaugh C, Bammert C, Hanson K, Reda D, Edwards LC, Littooy FN. PoleStriding exercise and vitamin E for management of peripheral vascular disease. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 Mar;35(3):384-93. doi: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000053658.82687.FF.
citation: Langbein WE, Collins EG, Orebaugh C, Maloney C, Williams KJ, Littooy FN, Edwards LC. Increasing exercise tolerance of persons limited by claudication pain using polestriding. J Vasc Surg. 2002 May;35(5):887-93. doi: 10.1067/mva.2002.123756.
citation: Fritschi C, Collins EG, O'Connell S, McBurney C, Butler J, Edwards L. The effects of smoking status on walking ability and health-related quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial disease. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2013 Jul-Aug;28(4):380-6. doi: 10.1097/JCN.0b013e31824af587.
citation: Collins EG, McBurney C, Butler J, Jelinek C, O'Connell S, Fritschi C, Reda D. The Effects of Walking or Walking-with-Poles Training on Tissue Oxygenation in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease. Int J Vasc Med. 2012;2012:985025. doi: 10.1155/2012/985025. Epub 2012 Sep 25.
citation: Collins EG, O'connell S, McBurney C, Jelinek C, Butler J, Reda D, Gerber BS, Hurt C, Grabiner M. Comparison of walking with poles and traditional walking for peripheral arterial disease rehabilitation. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2012 Jul-Aug;32(4):210-8. doi: 10.1097/HCR.0b013e31825828f4.