Effects of a short-course physical exercise program on intermittent claudication of peripheral arterial occlusive disease patients / Efeitos de um programa de exercício físico a curto prazo na claudicação intermitente de pacientes com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

Intermittent claudication (IC) is the main symptom of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and it can severely affect the walking capacity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a short-course physical exercise program on intermittent claudication of PAOD patients. Twelve out of the 34 recruited subjects were excluded for several reasons. Twenty-two subjects (14 males, mean age 64.4 10.4 years, ankle-brachial index ≤ 0.8) with varied clinical characteristics were included, and all have participated in Programa de Reabilitação de Doenças Vasculares Periféricas do Núcleo de Cardiologia e Medicina do Exercício (NCME) of the CEFID/UDESC. The physical performance was objectively assessed by means of a 6-minute walk test and subjectively assessed by means of the walking impairment questionnaire. The primary walking test was carried out in order to assess the initial and absolute claudication distances, and lasted up to 15 minutes. The final test lasted up to 30 minutes, if necessary. The results showed that 3 out of the 22 participants had no claudication, being able to walk up to one hour without pain. The mean improvement of the initial claudication distance for the 19 remaining participants was 74.15% (67.6 61.4m, p<0.05). Eleven patients (50%) did not report absolute claudication pain during the primary test; 3 patients, with prior absolute claudication pain, completed the final walking test without reporting pain, and the 8 remaining patients, who still reported absolute claudication pain, had a mean improvement of 48.61% (84.3 58.8m, p<0.05) in walking distance. Regarding the distance walked in 6 minutes, the mean improvement of the 22 patients was 17% (41.1 62.5, p<0.05). It was also possible to notice mean improvement (n = 22) of 14.30% (p<0.05) in walking capacity impairment; 17.56% (p<0.05) in walking distance; 4.59% (p=0.258) in walking speed and 5.49% (p=0.468) in stair climbing. In conclusion, a short-course physical exercise program is effective in PAOD and IC patients. Throughout the walking test, the initial and absolute claudication distances and the distance walked in 6 minutes were significantly improved. The walking impairment questionnaire showed considerable improvements related to walking impairment and walking distance, however, concerning walking speed and stair climbing, the improvements were not statistically significant.

ASSUNTO(S)

intermittent claudication peripheral vascular diseases programa de exercício físico doenças vasculares periféricas peripheral arterial occlusive disease claudicação intermitente educacao fisica doença arterial obstrutiva periférica physical exercise program

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