Body Awareness Therapy in Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study examined the effects of adding body awareness therapy (BAT) to a standard exercise and lifestyle management program on pain, functional capacity, and psychosocial outcomes in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Single-blind, parallel-group, two-arm randomized controlled trial.

Patients with PAD were randomized to BAT plus standard care or standard care alone for 8 weeks. Pain (resting, during exercise, night), functional capacity, lower-extremity muscle strength, and psychosocial outcomes (body awareness, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, stress) were assessed at baseline and postintervention.

A total of 53 patients completed the study (BAT+ standard care group n = 27, standard care group n = 26). Both groups showed significant within-group improvements across pain, claudication parameters, and psychosocial measures. Compared with controls, the BAT group demonstrated greater improvements in walking performance, muscle strength, body awareness, and self-efficacy (p < .001). Emotional and stress-related outcomes improved similarly between groups.

Integrating BAT into a standard exercise and lifestyle program resulted in improvements in mobility, muscle strength, and self-efficacy, while pain intensity and broader psychosocial symptoms improved similarly in both groups. BAT represents a feasible adjunct that enhances functional rehabilitation without increasing exercise volume.

BAT techniques can be readily incorporated into clinical practice to support nonpharmacological pain management, improve walking capacity, and promote holistic rehabilitation in individuals with PAD.

Clinical Trials Registry (NCT07250776).