Impact of a Nurse-Led Lifestyle Intervention on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Controlled Study
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A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Aruchamy Santhipriya1, Venkatesan Selvanayaki2
1Ph.D (Nursing) Scholar, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
Background:
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) significantly impairs functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) due to reduced lower limb perfusion. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a nurse-led intervention program incorporating dietary counseling, exercise, and education on functional capacity and QoL in PAD patients.
Methods:
A pretest/posttest-controlled design was employed with 30 participants (15 experimental, 15 control) recruited from KG Hospital, Coimbatore, India. The intervention included nutritional supplementation, home-based walking, Buerger Allen exercises, and educational sessions over six months. Outcomes were assessed using the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ), and VascuQoL-25 at baseline, three months, and six months.
Results:
The experimental group showed significant improvements in ABI (0.84 vs. 0.65, P < 0.0001), 6MWT distance (278.87 vs. 186.93 meters, P < 0.0001), and WIQ scores (all P < 0.01) at six months compared to controls. Biochemical markers, including fasting blood sugar (FBS) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), also improved significantly. No adverse events were reported, indicating the intervention's safety.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that nurse-led interventions are effective in enhancing functional capacity and metabolic health in PAD patients, supporting their integration into clinical practice.
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