title: The effect of high tone power therapy on gait range in patients with chronic lower limb ischaemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pain-related abnormalities of the economy of walking are the most important factor adversely affecting overall physical activity of patients with chronic lower limb ischaemia. These patients are routinely managed conservatively, with the aim of improving pain-free claudication distance. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of HiToP on the functional status of the lower limbs in such patients and look for possible flow dynamics correlates in peripheral microcirculation in the lower limbs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 68 patients aged 40-70 years, who were randomly assigned to Group A (experimental) and Group B (control). Study procedures included a treadmill test to determine the claudication distance and the measurement of blood flow in lower limb peripheral microcirculation using laser Doppler flowmetry. The intensity of lower limb pain was also determined. Patients from the experimental group were subjected to a series of HiToP sessions. The control group received mock HiToP (placebo).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The claudication distance and maximum walking distance were significantly prolonged only in the HiToP group. With regard to microcirculation flow dynamics, only mean flow values increased substantially, but this was again only observed in the group treated with HiToP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HiToP makes it possible to improve lower limb function, as evidenced primarily by improved claudication distance, maximum walking distance and improved blood flow parameters in cutaneous microcirculation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy Medical University of Silesia, Department of Physiotherapy, Katowice, Poland. jszymanska68@wp.pl
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szymańska
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nowotny
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nowakowska
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brzęk
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nowotny-Czupryna
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking