Supervised exercise therapy apps for claudication

Abstract

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has been recognised as a healthcare burden affecting up to 5.56% of the global population over 25 years of age.1 Intermittent claudication (IC) is often debilitating and results in reduced physical activity which is associated with increased cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.2,3 Early identification and management of PAD is essential to improve symptoms and prevent a downward trajectory towards limb loss. Supervised exercise therapy (SET) is the widely recommended first-line treatment for IC. Despite the benefits of SET, uptake and adherence rates are recognised to be poor.4 The reasons for poor SET compliance are multifactorial and include time constraints, travelling distance, personal, financial and institutional barriers.5 To overcome these barriers, alternative methods for delivering SET need to be explored.