Effects of home-based leg heat therapy on walking performance in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease: a pilot randomized trial
Jacob C. Monroe, Byung Joon Pae, Christopher K. Kargl, Timothy P. Gavin, Jason G. Parker, Susan M. Perkins, Han Yan, Janet D. Klein, Raghu L. Motaganahalli, Bruno T. Roseguini
Abstract
This is the first sham-controlled trial to examine the effects of home-based leg heat therapy (HT) on walking performance in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We demonstrate that unsupervised HT using water-circulating trousers is safe, well-tolerated, and elicits meaningful changes in walking ability in patients with symptomatic PAD. This home-based treatment option is practical, painless, and may be a feasible adjunctive therapy to counteract the decline in lower extremity physical function in patients with PAD.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineClaudicationRandomized controlled trialTreadmillIntermittent claudicationPeripheralAnkleBlood pressureReactive hyperemiaPhysical therapyQuality of life (healthcare)Arterial diseasePercentileInternal medicineCardiologySurgeryVascular diseaseBlood flowStatisticsMathematicsNursingPeripheral Artery Disease ManagementDiagnosis and Treatment of Venous DiseasesLymphatic System and Diseases