Motivating Physical Activity With Behavioural interVention and Electrical Stimulation Remotely in Intermittent Claudication

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a common vascular disease which commonly causes limb pain and reduced exercise tolerance termed Intermittent Claudication (IC). People with PAD and IC have impaired quality of life, reduced walking ability, and increased mortality compared to those who do not have the condition.

Improving physical activity (PA) is important in individuals with IC it can improve function, morbidity and mortality rates. While supervised exercise classes are recommended by healthcare authorities they are geographically sparse, and not always accessible due to individuals walking limitations. While home-based exercise can be accessible and improve walking ability, it can be challenging for people with IC to initially plan, conduct, and stay motivated to complete a walking program unsupported, especially when they experience limb pain when walking.

Investigators have shown that Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), a non-invasive pain management device, with aims to improve pain and walking distances in patients with IC may be an acceptable modality alongside advice and support from a physiotherapist to overcome these challenges. Investigators have also shown that motivational interviewing, education, and goal-setting with a physiotherapist (physical therapist) has the potential to increase PA, and quality of life.

This study aims to conduct a feasibility trial of four telehealth physiotherapy sessions, alongside the provision of a CE-marked TENS device to reduce limb pain during physical activity. This will be compared to the usual care offered in NHS Lanarkshire