Changes in the walking distance in patients with peripheral arterial disease during walking training and one year after its completion

Introduction
The main aim of the study was to assess the time after which significant changes in walking time appear from the start of training and whether the training model has a differentiating effect on the analysed change. An additional goal was to investigate the differential effect of the training model on the persistence of the training outcome at a time long after its completion.

Material and methods
The study included 59 patients with diagnosed peripheral arterial disease, aged 65 ±7.6 years. The patients participated in supervised walking training on a treadmill for 3 months. The patients were randomized into 2 study groups. Their walking ability was assessed during a walking test on a treadmill. The time of claudication (CPC) and maximum walking time (MCM) were assessed.

Results
After 8 and 12 weeks, a significant increase in CPC was observed in both study groups (p < 0.05). After 4 and 8 weeks, a significant increase in MCM was observed only in group A (p < 0.05). In group B, significant MCM prolongation was noted after 12 weeks (p < 0.05). The training model did not have a differentiating effect on the maintenance of post-training CPC and MCM improvement after one year.

Conclusions
In patients with intermittent claudication, walking training based on interrupted efforts at the onset of pain is as effective as training based on interrupted walking at moderate pain, which is recommended in the TASC II guidelines. However, the latter leads to a faster improvement in MCM (after just 4 weeks). Both models of walking training are similarly effective in maintaining a significant improvement in walking ability.