EFFICACY OF A STANDARDIZED PHYSICAL-TRAIN ING PROGRAM IN INTERMITTENTCLAUDICATION

In stage II peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) physical trai ning is generally the therapy of choice if no reopening procedures are indicated. The aim of this pilot study was to ascertain the increase in claudication distance due to the exclusive implementation of an int ensive exercise programme under standardized conditions, for a planned double blind placebo controlled study regarding the efficacy of pharm acotherapy in addition to physical training. 23 in-patients (median ag e 62 years) with an absolute claudication distance on treadmill of bet ween 50 m and 200 m (12% inclincation, 3 km/h walking speed) participa ted 5 days a week in the following intensive standardized physical tra ining programme: in the morning and afternoon supervised gymnastics fo r about 30 minutes, followed by 2 cycles of treadmill exercise each am ounting to 66% of the absolute claudication distance. After a training programme of 4 weeks the mean initial claudiaction distance rose sign ificantly from 83 m to 134 m (61%), as did the mean absolute claudicat ion distance from 127 m to 222 m (75%). If an increase in claudiaction distance of at least 60% is taken as criterion of efficacy, 48% of th e patients can be defined as responders. After completion of personal inquiries 62% of the patients were willing to participate in a similar training programme again.