Polestriding Versus Walking for Subjects With Poor Leg Circulation

Phase 2CompletedNCT00719355

University of Illinois at Chicago146 enrolled

Overview

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.

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

146

Conditions

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Interventions

Walking with polesBEHAVIORAL

Patients walked with poles, 20-45 minutes, 3 times/week for 24 weeks.

Walking exerciseBEHAVIORAL

Patients walked for 20-45 minutes, 3 times/week for 24 weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 21 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Locations (1)

Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital

Hines, Illinois, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Length of Exercise Duration on the Treadmill Constant Work Rate Exercise Test

Patients walked on the CWR test at 85% of his/her peak VO2 on the baseline progressive treadmill test. Since the polewalking group was older than the walking group, subject age was entered into the analysis as a co-variate. Intent-to-treat (ITT) analyses were used. The last measurement taken for all subjects with at least one follow-up test was carried forward (n=97).

Time frame: Baseline and 24 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Onset of Claudication Pain During Constant Work Rate Treadmill Test

Perceived pain onset was recorded during the constant workrate test using the Borg ratio scale. Patient rated their pain from 0-10. Time elapased on the treadmill (minutes) at the onset of pain was recorded.

Time frame: At 24 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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