Improved functional outcomes following exercise rehabilitation in patients with intermittent claudication

• Published in: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences Biological sciences and medical sciences, 2000-10, Vol.55 (10), p.M570-M577
• Main Authors: Gardner, A W, Katzel, L I, Sorkin, J D, Killewich, L A, Ryan, A, Flinn, W R, Goldberg, A P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiology; Circulatory system; Exercise; Exercise Test; Forecasting; Humans; Intermittent Claudication - physiopathology; Intermittent Claudication - rehabilitation; Leg - blood supply; Middle Aged; Oxygen Consumption; Pain - physiopathology; Physical Exertion; Regional Blood Flow; Rehabilitation; Treatment Outcome; Walking
• ISSN: 1079-5006; 1758-535X
• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/55.10.M570

The purposes of this study were to identify predictors of increased claudication distances following exercise rehabilitation in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) patients with intermittent claudication and determine whether improved claudication distances translated into increased free-living daily physical activity in the community setting. Sixty-three patients were recruited (age, 68+/-1 years, mean +/- standard error). Patients were characterized on treadmill claudication distances, walking economy, peripheral circulation, cardiopulmonary function, self-perceived ambulatory function, body composition, baseline comorbidities, and free-living daily physical activity before and after a 6-month treadmill exercise program. Exercise rehabilitation increased distance to onset of claudication pain by 115% (178+/-22 m to 383+/-34 m; p < .001) and distance to maximal claudication pain by 65% (389+/-29 m to 641+/-34 m; p < .001). The increased distance to onset of pain was independently related to a 27% increase in calf blood flow (r = .42, p < .001) and to baseline age (r = -.26, p < .05), and the increased distance to maximal pain was predicted by a 10% increase in peak oxygen uptake (r = .41, p < .001) and by a 10% improvement in walking economy (r = -.34, p < .05). Free-living daily physical activity increased 31% (337+/-29 kcal/day to 443+/-37 kcal/day; p < .001) and was related to the increases in treadmill distances to onset (r = .24, p < .05) and to maximal pain (r = .45, p < .001). Increased claudication distances following exercise rehabilitation are mediated through improvements in peripheral circulation, walking economy, and cardiopulmonary function, with younger patients having the greatest absolute ambulatory gains. Furthermore, improved symptomatology translated into enhanced community-based ambulation.