Home-based circuit training and community walking for intermittent claudication

Objective Supervised exercise training is recommended for people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), yet it remains underutilised. Home-based exercise programmes are a potential alternative. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a full scale trial of a 12-week home-based exercise programme (HBEP) for people living with symptomatic PAD. Methods In a randomised feasibility trial, patients with intermittent claudication (IC) were allocated to either a HBEP or a non-exercise control. The HBEP group were given a Fitbit to use during a 12-week exercise programme comprising of personalised step goals and a resistance-based circuit to be undertaken at home twice weekly. The primary outcome was feasibility, assessed via eligibility, recruitment, attrition, tolerability, and adherence. Acceptability was assessed via semi-structured interviews. Secondary analysis was undertaken to determine the feasibility of collecting clinical outcome data. Results 188 people were screened, 133 were eligible (70.7%), 30 were recruited (22.6%) and one withdrew (3.33%). Mean adherence to the daily step goal was 53.5% (range=29.8–90.5%), and 58.6% of prescribed circuits were completed of which 56.4% were at the desired intensity. Six adverse events were recorded, three of which were related to study involvement. No significant differences were observed in exploratory outcomes. Small clinically important differences were seen in walking speed and pain-free treadmill walking distance which should be confirmed or refuted in a larger trial. Conclusion The HBEP was feasible and well tolerated, with successful recruitment and minimal attrition. The intervention was acceptable, with walking seen as more enjoyable than circuit exercise. The WALKSTRONG programme may be suitable for those who will not, or cannot, take part in supervised exercise outside of the home.