[Effect of supervised exercise training on walking speed, claudication distance and quality of life in peripheral arterial disease].
BACKGROUND
Aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of supervised exercise training for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) on walking speed, claudication distance and quality of life.


RESULTS
Ninety-four patients in stage IIa/IIb according to Fontaine underwent a six-month exercise training at the Center for Outpatient Rehabilitation Vienna (ZAW). Walking speed and Absolute Claudication Distance (ACD) improved significantly (p < 0,001 and p = 0,007 respectively). Increase of the Initial Claudication Distance (ICD) did not reach statistical significance (p = 0,14). Quality of life, as assessed by the questionnaire "PLC" manifested no significant change.


CONCLUSIONS
The exercise training achieved considerable effects on walking speed and claudication distance. Despite these improvements, patient's quality of life revealed no relevant change. This outcome could be explained by the fact that aspects of physical functioning relevant to patients with claudicatio intermittens may be underrepresented in the PLC-questionnaire core module.
Pensionsversicherungsanstalt, Wien, Österreich.
Alfa
A
Wenkstetten-Holub
Elisabeth
E
Kandioler-Honetz
Ingrid
I
Kraus
Rudolf
R
Müller
Robert Wolfgang
RW
Kurz
D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001317:Austria; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D018450:Disease Progression; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D016138:Walking