Effect of Dorsiflexion vs Treadmill Exercise on ABPI drop
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is dorsiflexion equivalent to treadmill exercise in inducing change in ABPI of patients with intermittent claudication? A Feasibility Study.
IRAS ID
250797
Contact name
Dominic Foy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS foundation trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 17 days
Research summary
What is the Effect of Dorsiflexion vs Treadmill Exercise on ABPI-drop in Intermittent Claudicants?
Intermittent Claudication is the medical term for muscle pain brought on by activity; most often in the calf muscles due to walking. This is usually the first symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a gradual narrowing of the outer arteries of the body such as those in the legs. As PAD progresses it can reduce the amount of blood getting through to the muscles and feet limiting the supply of nutrients and oxygen. In cases of severe disease this can lead to ulceration, loss of mobility, and amputation. Therefore early, accurate, diagnosis and correct management of the condition are important.
Patients with intermittent claudication are often referred for Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) testing to help diagnose and grade the severity of PAD. For the ABPI non-invasive blood pressure measurements are taken at the arms and at the ankles and used to calculate a numerical value. If the ABPI value initially appears normal, patients are often asked to exercise, to bring about claudication symptoms, followed by repeat pressure measurements. A drop in the post-exercise ABPI reveals underlying arterial disease.
I have proposed a project where claudication patients attending a nurse led clinic will undergo ABPI testing using two different exercise methods; dorsiflexion and treadmill. The first is common practice across our trust, the second has been newly introduced through the clinic. I will assess whether the two different techniques show a difference in the drop from pre to post-exercise ABPI.
This will not directly impact the care or management of individual participants. However, it may reveal if one method is more effective and could therefore help inform decisions to improve diagnosis for future patients.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0737
Date of REC Opinion
23 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion