A Pilot Study Examining the Effects of Ischemic Conditioning on Walking Capacity and Lower Extremity Muscle Performance in Patients with Claudication

Introduction: This study investigated whether a novel therapy called ischemic conditioning (IC) improves walking capacity and lower extremity muscle performance in patients with peripheral vascular disease who experience intermittent claudication. Methods: Forty-three patients with claudication were enrolled and received either IC or IC Sham for 2 weeks in this randomized, controlled, double-blinded, prospective study. IC sessions involved five cycles of alternating 5-min inflations of a blood pressure cuff to 225 mm Hg (25 mm Hg for IC Sham) and 5-min deflations, around the thigh of the affected lower extremity. Results: There was no difference in the change in claudication onset time (Delta = 114 +/- 212 s IC vs. 104 +/- 173 s IC Sham; p = 0.67) or peak walking time (Delta = 42 +/- 139 s IC vs. 12 +/- 148 s IC Sham; p = 0.35) between the IC and IC Sham groups. At the level of the knee, participants in the IC group performed more work (Delta = 3,029 +/- 4,999 J IC vs. 345 +/- 2,863 J IC Sham; p = 0.03) and displayed a greater time to muscle fatigue (Delta = 147 +/- 221 s IC vs. -27 +/- 236 s IC Sham; p = 0.01). Discussion/Conclusion: In patients with claudication, IC improved total work performed and time to fatigue at the knee but did not change walking parameters. (c) 2022 S. Karger AG, Basel