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Speed rather than distance: a novel graded treadmill test to assess claudication
F Manfredini1, F Conconi, A M Malagoni
1The Center for Biomedical Studies Applied to Sport, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Summary
A new treadmill test accurately measures pain threshold speed (PTS) in patients with intermittent claudication. This reliable method aids in assessing functional limitations and guiding rehabilitation programs.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Intermittent claudication (IC) significantly impacts patient mobility and quality of life.
- Objective assessment of functional capacity is crucial for managing IC.
- Current assessment methods may not fully capture the functional limitations imposed by IC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel treadmill test for determining pain threshold speed (PTS).
- To establish PTS as a reliable measure for assessing and monitoring rehabilitation in IC patients.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-nine patients with IC underwent evaluation, including ankle-brachial index (ABI) assessment.
- PTS was determined using a treadmill protocol with low speed and progressive increments until pain onset.
- Repeatability and equivalence of PTS were compared against established time-based protocols and walking distances.
Main Results:
- The pain threshold speed (PTS) was successfully measured in all participants (mean 3.6 ± 1.1 km/h).
- The treadmill test demonstrated good repeatability and equivalence with existing measures.
- PTS showed significant correlations with pain-free walking distance (r=0.833), 6-minute walking distance (r=0.724), and ABI (r=0.641).
Conclusions:
- Pain threshold speed (PTS) is a reliable and valid parameter for assessing patients with intermittent claudication.
- PTS effectively correlates with established functional and vascular measures.
- This test is valuable for quantifying functional handicap and informing the design of rehabilitation strategies.