Heat therapy vs. supervised exercise therapy for peripheral arterial disease: a 12-wk randomized, controlled trial

摘要

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterized by lower limb atherosclerosis impairing blood supply and causing walking-induced leg pain or elaudication. Adherence to traditional exercise training programs is poor due to these symptoms despite exercise being a mainstay of conservative treatment. Heat therapy improves many cardiovascular health outcomes, so this study tested if this was a viable alternative cardiovascular therapy for PAD patients. Volunteers with PAD were randomized to 12 wk of heat (n = 11; mean age 76 ± 8 yr, BMI 28.7 ± 3.5 kg/nr, 4 females) or exercise (n = 11; 74 ± 10 yr, 28.5 ± 6.8 kg/nr, 3 females).