title: A walking intervention to reduce inflammation in patients with diabetes and peripheral arterial/artery disease: A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this pilot study, we sought to determine whether walking reduces inflammation in patients with diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial/artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained blood samples from patients with diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial/artery disease. Intervention participants were advised to walk for 50 min 3 days per week for 6 months. Participants completed assessments of comorbidities and walking ability. Difference-in-difference analyses were used to assess the relationship between group assignment and each biomarker over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We randomized 55 participants (control = 25 and intervention = 30). At 6 months and based on p values of <0.20, vascular cellular adhesion molecule, beta-2 microglobulin, total cholesterol, and triglycerides demonstrated a greater decrease among participants randomized to the intervention compared to the control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Walking may reduce inflammation in persons with diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial/artery disease. Further research is needed to determine the impact of walking on inflammation in persons with vascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, The University of Kansas, Wichita, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Tracie C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, The University of Kansas, Wichita, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Twumasi-Ankrah
keywords: Peripheral arterial/artery disease; inflammation; walking