scholarly journals Experience Implementing Supervised Exercise Therapy for Peripheral Artery Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dereck L. Salisbury ◽  
Mary O. Whipple ◽  
Marsha Burt ◽  
Rebecca Brown ◽  
Ryan J. Mays ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background: Supervised exercise therapy (SET) is a cornerstone of treatment for improving walking distance for individuals with symptomatic peripheral artery disease and claudication. High-quality randomized controlled trials have documented the efficacy of SET as a claudication treatment and led to the recent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid decision to cover supervised exercise therapy (SET). However, to date, the translation of highly controlled, laboratory-based SET programs in real-world cardiopulmonary rehabilitation settings has not been explored. Methods: In this article, we described our experience integrating SET into existing cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs, focusing on patient evaluation, exercise prescription, outcome assessments, strategies to maximize program adherence, and transitioning to home and community-based exercise training. Results: Our team has over 3 years' experience successfully implementing SET in cardiac rehabilitation settings. The experiences communicated here can serve as a model for clinical exercise physiologists as they begin to incorporate SET in their rehabilitation programs. Conclusion: CMS reimbursement has the potential to change clinical practice and utilization of SET for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease. The experience we have gained through implementation of SET programs across the M Health and Fairview Health Systems and in other Minnesota communities—including specific elements in our programs and the lessons learned from our clinical experience—can inform and help guide development of new programs.

2020 ◽  
pp. 019394592097747
Author(s):  
Mary O. Whipple ◽  
Erica N. Schorr ◽  
Kristine M.C. Talley ◽  
Julian Wolfson ◽  
Ruth Lindquist ◽  
...  

Nonresponse to exercise has been extensively examined in young athletes but is seldom reported in studies of aerobic exercise interventions in older adults. This study examined the prevalence of nonresponse and poor response to exercise in functional and quality of life outcomes and response patterns between and among older adults undergoing 12-weeks of supervised exercise therapy for the management of peripheral artery disease ( N = 44, mean age 72.3 years, 47.7% female). The prevalence of nonresponse (no change/decline in performance) in walking distance was 31.8%. The prevalence of poor response (lack of a clinically meaningful improvement) was 43.2%. Similar patterns of response were observed in both objective and patient-reported measures of physical function. All participants improved in at least one outcome; only two participants improved in all measured outcomes. Additional research should examine modifiable predictors of response to inform programming and maximize an individual’s potential benefit from exercise therapy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Duy Ha ◽  
George Casale ◽  
Alicia Luis ◽  
Kevin Harkins ◽  
Reagan Huber ◽  
...  

Introduction: Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) develop myofiber degeneration and fibrosis in their ischemic lower extremities, along with limb dysfunction. Walking performance improves with revascularization and exercise therapy, but effects on the myopathy are unknown. We previously showed fibrosis progresses with PAD and positively correlates with expression of vascular transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), a cytokine that stimulates collagen deposition. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that revascularization (RVS) and supervised exercise therapy (EXE) improve limb function in association with improved TGF-β1 dependent fibrosis. Methods: Gastrocnemius biopsies were collected from PAD patients (Fontaine Stage II; N=56) at baseline and 6 months after RVS (N=20), EXE (N=19), or no intervention (CTL; N=17). TGF-β1 expression was measured as grey scale units (gsu) by quantitative fluorescence microscopy of paraffin-embedded gastrocnemius sections. Collagen abundance was measured as optical density by quantitative multi-spectral bright-field microscopy of Masson Trichrome stained paraffin sections. Six Minute Walking Distance (SMWD), in meters, and Peak Walking Time (PWT), in seconds, were determined at baseline and 6 months. Relationships among TGF-β1, collagen, and limb function were assessed. Results: TGF-β1 expression and collagen density increased in CTL and EXE but not RVS patients. SMWD and PWT increased among RVS patients. PWT but not SMWD increased among EXE patients. SMWD and PWT were unchanged among CTL patients. The data are summarized in Table 1. Conclusions: RVS and EXE improved walking performance of patients with PAD, but only RVS prevented progression of fibrosis in the gastrocnemius of these patients. Over the same 6-month period, fibrosis increased in CTL muscle but was not sufficient to alter walking performance. The data suggest that benefits to the PAD leg may be greater with RVS compared to EXE.


2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 416
Author(s):  
Razvan Anghel ◽  
Cristina Andreea Adam ◽  
Dragos Traian Marius Marcu ◽  
Ovidiu Mitu ◽  
Florin Mitu

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an integral part of the management of various cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), or chronic heart failure (CHF), with proven morbidity and mortality benefits. This article aims to review and summarize the scientific literature related to cardiac rehabilitation programs for patients with PAD and how they were adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of CR programs has been problematic since the COVID-19 pandemic due to social distancing and work-related restrictions. One of the main challenges for physicians and health systems alike has been the management of PAD patients. COVID-19 predisposes to coagulation disorders that can lead to severe thrombotic events. Home-based walking exercises are more accessible and easier to accept than supervised exercise programs. Cycling or other forms of exercise are more entertaining or challenging alternatives to exercise therapy. Besides treadmill exercises, upper- and lower-extremity ergometry also has great functional benefits, especially regarding walking endurance. Supervised exercise therapy has a positive impact on both functional capacity and also on the quality of life of such patients. The most effective manner to acquire this seems to be by combining revascularization therapy and supervised exercise. Rehabilitation programs proved to be a mandatory part of the integrative approach in these cases, increasing quality of life, and decreasing stress levels, depression, and anxiety.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 138 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Schorr ◽  
Mary Whipple ◽  
Diane Treat-Jacobson

Introduction: Evidence supporting the effects of supervised exercise therapy (SET) on alleviating symptoms and improving walking ability for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) is robust and well recognized. However, little is known about the impact of SET on free-living physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in SET and changes in free-living PA among individuals in the the EX ercise Training to Reduce Claudication: Arm ER gometry versus T readmill Walking ( EXERT ) trial. Methods: In this randomized, controlled trial, 104 participants (mean age 68±9; 29% female) were allocated to receive treadmill (TM) exercise (n=41), upper body ergometry (UBE) exercise (n=42), or usual-care (UC) (n=21) for 12 weeks. Exercise participants attended SET three times per week; UC participants met with study staff weekly. PA was measured over 7 days via waist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. Steps per day was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were proportion of time in light and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary time. PA was controlled for in TM participants by using SET logs. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-sample t-tests, and analysis of variance. Results: Regardless of randomization, average daily steps were low at baseline and 6 weeks (4,013 steps, p =.72; and 3,911 steps, p =.84, respectively), and slightly higher at 12 weeks (4,307 steps; p =.93). Although not statistically significant but perhaps clinically relevant, UBE participants exhibited greater increases in MVPA over 12 weeks (0.9% to 1.3%; F =.48, p =.62) compared to TM (1.2% to 1.3%; F =.35, p =.71) and UC (1.3% to 1.5%, F =.03, p =.97); similarly all participants exhibited reductions in sedentary time and increases in free-living PA between baseline and 12 weeks. Conclusions: These data suggest individuals with PAD attending SET replace sedentary time with light or moderate intensity PA regardless of exercise modality. Despite study participants meeting the recommended daily steps for adults with chronic conditions (3,500-5,500 steps), it is suspected that they did not reach the daily goal of 30 minutes of enhanced PA to reduce health risks. Future research should incorporate activity tracking devices that can provide feedback on PA as an approach to meet daily PA goals. Activity tracking devices used in conjunction with SET may further improve walking distance, symptom management, and quality of life among patients with symptomatic PAD.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 108-117
Author(s):  
Kristin M. Elgersma ◽  
Rebecca J.L. Brown ◽  
Dereck L. Salisbury ◽  
Laurissa Stigen ◽  
Lois Gildea ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 140 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Treat-Jacobson ◽  
Mary M. McDermott ◽  
Joshua A. Beckman ◽  
Marsha A. Burt ◽  
Mark A. Creager ◽  
...  

Patients with lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) have greater functional impairment, faster functional decline, increased rates of mobility loss, and poorer quality of life than people without PAD. Supervised exercise therapy (SET) improves walking ability, overall functional status, and health-related quality of life in patients with symptomatic PAD. In 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a National Coverage Determination (CAG-00449N) for SET programs for patients with symptomatic PAD. This advisory provides a practical guide for delivering SET programs to patients with PAD according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services criteria. It summarizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services process and requirements for referral and coverage of SET and provides guidance on how to implement SET for patients with PAD, including the SET protocol, options for outcome measurement, and transition to home-based exercise. This advisory is based on the guidelines established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for Medicare beneficiaries in the United States and is intended to assist clinicians and administrators who are implementing SET programs for patients with PAD.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document