Home-Based Lower-Extremity Heat Therapy for Walking Function in Peripheral Artery Disease

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Lower-Extremity Heat Therapy: Participants assigned to the active intervention will complete home-based lower-extremity heat therapy sessions for 90 minutes per day for 12 weeks. The active condition will deliver heated therapy to the lower extremities according to the study protocol.

Sham Lower-Extremity Heat Therapy: Participants assigned to the sham comparator will complete home-based sham therapy sessions for 90 minutes per day for 12 weeks. The sham condition will use the same treatment schedule and similar lower-extremity garments as the active condition, but will use a lower-temperature condition intended to support participant blinding while minimizing the expected physiological effects of active heat therapy.

Study summary

Lower-extremity peripheral artery disease is associated with impaired walking ability, reduced lower-extremity function, and decreased quality of life. This randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of home-based lower-extremity heat therapy on walking function and mobility in adults with peripheral artery disease.

A total of 40 participants will be randomized to active lower-extremity heat therapy or sham therapy. Participants assigned to active therapy will complete daily 90-minute home treatment sessions using heated lower-extremity garments. Participants assigned to sham therapy will complete the same treatment schedule using a lower-temperature sham condition.

The primary outcome is the change in six-minute walk distance from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include changes in leg strength and fatigability, Short Physical Performance Battery score, blood pressure, and patient-reported quality of life.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• 6-minute walk distance — 12 weeks
  Participants will receive standardized instructions and will be asked to walk the greatest distance possible by walking back and forth along a 100-ft corridor for 6 min. The primary outcome will be a change from baseline in the 6-minute walk distance over 12 weeks in the HT-treated group as compared to the sham treatment group.

Trial sites (1)

Other trials for the same condition