title: [From the Cochrane Library: increased walking distance through supervised exercise therapy in patients with intermittent claudication].
abstract: Intermittent claudication is the most important symptom of peripheral arterial disease. Walking is the main treatment for intermittent claudication and is usually prescribed as a single recommendation to 'go home and walk'. A recent Cochrane systematic review of 7 randomised trials and 1 controlled trial compared a supervised walking regimen with non-supervised exercise therapy. Supervised exercise therapy showed statistically significant benefits compared with non-supervised exercise therapy. Further research is needed to determine the clinical relevance of this difference, with a focus on quality of life. Long-term results with supervised exercise therapy should be studied in future trials.
authors.affiliation: Atrium Medisch Centrum, afd. Heelkunde, Postbus 4446, 6401 CX Heerlen.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kruidenier
authors.forename: B L W
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Bendermacher
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Willigendael
authors.forename: J A W
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Teijink
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Prins
mesh_terms: D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*