Efficacy of comprehensive structured exercise program on claudication pain and quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus with peripheral arterial disease

Background: Peripheral arterial disease is one of the leading complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The primary symptom of peripheral arterial disease is claudication pain. Exercise is known to improve the claudication pain, thereby improving the quality of life. Methods: A total of 74 participants were recruited in each group and a detailed demographic assessment was done for all the participants. The study group received a comprehensive structured exercise program and standard care whereas the control group received only the standard care. Progression of the exercise was made at the 6th week of the protocol. All the outcome measures were reassessed after the 12th weeks for both study and control group. Results: The mean age of participants was 60.78 ± 11.29 (years) and 59.98 ± 11.42 (years) for the study and control group, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in toe brachial index (p < 0.001), ankle brachial index (p < 0.001), 6-minute walk distance (p < 0.001), WHO-BREF quality of life questionnaire (p < 0.001), and walking ability ((p < 0.001) in the study group in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: In the present study we found that comprehensive structured exercise program improves the arterial indices, quality of life, walking ability and reduces claudication pain in type 2 diabetes mellitus with peripheral arterial disease.