Wearable Sensor Technology Efficacy in Peripheral Vascular Disease (wSTEP): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Intermittent claudication (IC) impacts mobility and quality of life.
• Supervised exercise programs (SEPs) are a standard treatment for IC.
• Wearable activity monitors (WAMs) offer a novel approach to monitor and encourage physical activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of wearable activity monitors (WAMs) as a treatment for patients with intermittent claudication (IC).
• To compare the outcomes of WAMs combined with SEPs versus SEPs alone in IC patients.

Main Methods:

• A single-center randomized controlled trial involving 37 IC patients.
• Intervention group received WAMs plus SEP access; control group received SEP access only.
• Outcome measures included maximum walking distance (MWD), claudication distance (CD), and quality of life (VascuQol), assessed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months.

Main Results:

• The WAM group demonstrated significant and sustained improvements in MWD and CD at 3, 6, and 12 months compared to the control group.
• WAM intervention led to significant improvements in quality of life (VascuQol scores) sustained throughout the study.
• The control group showed only temporary improvements in quality of life, with no significant changes in walking distances.

Conclusions:

• Wearable activity monitors (WAMs) provide significant, sustained benefits for patients with intermittent claudication (IC).
• WAMs represent a potentially resource-sparing intervention that can serve as an adjunct or alternative to traditional supervised exercise programs (SEPs).
• This technology holds promise for improving patient outcomes and adherence to exercise regimens in vascular rehabilitation.