Biomedical subjects

E M Willigendael

Publications and source records attributed to E M Willigendael.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Supervised exercise therapy versus non-supervised exercise therapy for intermittent claudication.

BACKGROUND: Although exercise therapy is considered to be of significant benefit to people with leg pain (intermittent claudication), almost half of those affected do not undertake any exercise therapy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of supervised versus non-supervised exercise therapy on the maximal walking time or distance for people with intermittent claudication. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group searched their Specialized Register (last searched November 2005) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) database in The Cochrane Library (last searched Issue 4, 2005). In addition, we handsearched the reference lists of relevant articles for additional trials. There was no restriction on language of publication. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized and controlled clinical trials comparing supervised exercise programs with non-supervised exercise programs for people with intermittent claudication. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors (BB and EMW) independently selected trials and extracted data. One author (BB) assessed trial quality and this was confirmed by a second author (MP). For all continuous outcomes we extracted the number of participants, the mean differences, and the standard deviation. If data were available, the standardized mean difference was calculated using a fixed-effect model. MAIN RESULTS: We identified twenty-seven trials, of which 19 had to be excluded because the control group received no exercise therapy at all. The remaining eight trials involved a total of 319 male and female participants with intermittent claudication. The follow up ranged from 12 weeks to 12 months. In general, the supervised exercise regimens consisted of three exercise sessions per week. All trials used a treadmill walking test as one of the outcome measures. The overall quality of the included trials was good, though the trials were all small with respect to the number of participants, ranging from 20 to 59. Supervised exercise therapy showed statistically significant and clinically relevant differences in improvement of maximal treadmill walking distance compared with non-supervised exercise therapy regimens, with an overall effect size of 0.58 (95% confidence interval 0.31 to 0.85) at three months. This translates to a difference of approximately 150 meters increase in walking distance in favor of the supervised group. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Supervised exercise therapy is suggested to have clinically relevant benefits compared with non-supervised regimens, which is the main prescribed exercise therapy for people with intermittent claudication. However, the clinical relevance has not been demonstrated definitely and will require additional studies with a focus on the improvements in quality of life.

Directly Observed Therapy↗

PubMed2005

The development and implementation of a regional network of physiotherapists for exercise therapy in patients with peripheral arterial disease, a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Exercise therapy (ET) is the main conservative and proven effective treatment of patients with intermittent claudication. Currently, the most frequent exercise prescription is a single 'go home and walk' advise, without supervision or follow-up. There is no evidence to support the efficacy of this advise and compliance is known to be low. Therefore, a systematic approach was used to guarantee quality and standardisation of treatment, optimal guideline adherence and improved of inter-professional communication between vascular surgeons and physiotherapists. In this preliminary report we would like to outline the steps taken for the development and implementation of the Network Exercise Therapy Parkstad. METHODS: In October 2003 all 59 regional physiotherapy practices were invited to attend a symposium regarding ET in a physiotherapeutic setting. Attending physiotherapists interested in providing ET and willing to follow a certified course on ET, were asked to register. Three tastk groups were formed to accomplish the set targets: Exercise therapy education, Exercise therapy implementation and continuity, and Inter-professional communication in the Parkstad region. RESULTS: In total 27 physiotherapists, from 22 different practices followed the educational program and are now trained and accredited to provide ET according to the guideline of the Royal Dutch Society for Physiotherapy. A web-based database was designed to contain information on disease specific items provided by the vascular surgery department, and aspects with respect to ET registered by the physiotherapist. The information is regularly updated and available online. Access to the database is restricted to vascular surgeons and physiotherapists in the network. The secondary purpose of the database is to register essential benchmark data for future analysis of ET in a physiotherapeutic setting in the Netherlands and to enable physiotherapists continuous feedback on patient performance. A triage system was developed to detect patients with a compromised cardiac history. This group receives ET at the in-hospital department of revalidation with the possibility of immediate consultation of a cardiologist in case of cardiac complications or even CPR. CONCLUSION: The Network Exercise Therapy Parkstad of supervised ET is the first initiative in the Netherlands to provide ET close to the patient's home environment. With the implementation of supervised ET in an outpatient physiotherapeutic setting for all eligible patients with symptomatic PAD, the access to care has been improved. A web-based communication system provides physiotherapists and vascular surgeons with all the necessary and continues updated patient information. Future research, currently in progress, will investigate the therapeutic benefits and cost-effectiveness of exercise therapy in a physiotherapeutic setting.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMed2005

Medical management of peripheral arterial disease.

Whether symptomatic or not, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), atherosclerosis in the arteries of the lower extremities, is a common disorder in the general population. The prevalence increases with age and under the influence of vascular risk factors. The most classic symptomatic expression of PAD is intermittent claudication. However, the majority of patients with PAD is asymptomatic or has leg symptoms other than classic intermittent claudication. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects with PAD have increased mortality rates, mainly due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular expressions of atherosclerotic disease. This review focuses on the current available medical therapies for PAD, including risk-factor modification and antiplatelet therapies, as well as strategies for symptomatic relief in both patients with intermittent claudication and patients with critical limb ischemia. In general, risk factor modification and antiplatelet therapy is essential in all patients with PAD to prevent systemic atherosclerotic complications. Furthermore, for symptomatic relief exercise therapy is the main intervention while pharmacological treatment should be only complementary. In patients with critical limb ischemia, when revascularization therapy is not possible, an attempt should be made to avoid amputation with conservative treatment using analgesics, vasodilators and/or anticoagulants. In case of an acute onset of critical limb ischemia, thrombolysis is indicated.

Anticoagulants↗

PubMed2004

Peripheral arterial disease: public and patient awareness in The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: To determine critical issues for future awareness programmes on peripheral arterial disease (PAD). DESIGN: National Dutch survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A representative sample of 1294 members of the general population, and 281 patients with PAD from the Capi@home database were administered a questionnaire concerning awareness of PAD. RESULTS: The response rate was 81% for the general population and 78% for patients with PAD. The familiarity with PAD terminology and symptoms amongst the general population was low. Few patients (20%) were aware that PAD was a disease of arteries. Amongst both the general population and the patient populations, PAD risk factors identification was low: hypertension (4% versus 0%); hypercholesterolaemia (9% versus 12%), diabetes (2% versus 8%), and smoking (27% versus 52%). Knowledge was moderate in both populations about treatment with exercise, but low for smoking cessation. The general population was unaware of the central role of general practitioners in the treatment of PAD. CONCLUSIONS: The awareness of symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for PAD is low. Both population and patients needed only minimal information to relate PAD to other atherosclerotic diseases. Based on the results of this survey the Dutch Platform of Peripheral Arterial Disease together with the Dutch Heart Foundation are initiating the first awareness campaign on atherosclerosis.

Adult↗