High-intensity interval training in patients with intermittent claudication.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology
• Peripheral Artery Disease Management
• Clinical Exercise Rehabilitation

Background:

• Supervised exercise programs (SEP) for intermittent claudication (IC) suffer from low patient uptake, adherence, and completion rates.
• A shorter, more time-efficient, 6-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program presents a potentially more acceptable and deliverable alternative for patients with IC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the feasibility and tolerability of a 6-week supervised HIIT program for patients diagnosed with IC.
• To assess the potential efficacy, safety, and acceptability of HIIT as an alternative SEP for IC.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm, proof-of-concept study conducted in secondary care.
• Recruited patients with IC referred for usual-care SEPs.
• Supervised HIIT delivered three times per week for 6 weeks, with feasibility, tolerability, safety, and acceptability as primary outcomes.

Main Results:

• Of 165 eligible patients, 40 were recruited, with 78% completing the 6-week HIIT program.
• High adherence (99% session attendance) and intensity completion (84%) were observed.
• Significant improvements in maximum walking distance (+94 m) and SF-36 physical component summary scores (+2.2) were noted, with no serious adverse events.

Conclusions:

• HIIT demonstrated higher completion rates compared to traditional SEPs in patients with IC.
• The 6-week HIIT program is feasible, tolerable, safe, and potentially beneficial for individuals with IC.
• HIIT may offer a more accessible and acceptable supervised exercise option, warranting further research comparing it directly with usual-care SEPs.