This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Randomized clinical trial comparing Nordic pole walking and a standard home exercise programme in patients with intermittent claudication. BJS 2014; 101: 760-767.

Published: 24th April 2014

Authors: C. Spafford, C. Oakley, J. D. Beard

Background

This was a randomized clinical trial to determine whether Nordic pole walking (NPW) is more effective in improving walking distance than a standard home exercise programme (HEP) in patients with intermittent claudication.

Method

Fifty‐two patients with stable claudication were allocated randomly to a standard HEP or NPW group, and asked to complete three 30‐min walks per week for 12 weeks. Claudication distance (CD) and maximum walking distance (MWD) were measured at 0 (baseline), 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Patients in the NPW group were tested with (NPW+) and without (NPW–) poles.

Results

For NPW+, CD increased immediately from a median (range) of 124 (71–248) m to 148 (116–426) m, and MWD from 248 (149–900) to 389 (194–1099) m (P = 0·004 and P < 0·001 respectively). By 12 weeks, CD had further increased to 199 (118–550) m and MWD had more than doubled to 538 (250–1750) m (P < 0·001 and P = 0·001). For NPW–, CD at 12 weeks had increased significantly to 151 (100–328) m and MWD to 400 (200–900) m (P < 0·001 and P = 0·006 respectively). At 12 weeks the changes in the standard HEP group were not significant, despite excellent compliance: CD from 107 (56–332) to 153 (59–321) m and MWD from 355 (92–600) to 334 (149–874) m (P = 0·030 and P = 0·260 respectively).

Conclusion

A 12‐week exercise programme using Nordic poles significantly improved walking distance in claudicants compared with a standard HEP. Registration number: ISRCTN78168304 (http://www.controlled‐trials.com).

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