Heat Therapy and Peripheral Artery Disease

Launched by MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY · Feb 10, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new treatment called heat therapy to help people with a condition called intermittent claudication, which causes pain in the legs when walking due to reduced blood flow. The study will last for 8 weeks and will compare the effects of heat therapy against standard care. Researchers want to see how this treatment can improve walking ability and overall health in participants.

To join the trial, participants need to be over 18 years old, diagnosed with intermittent claudication, and able to walk without assistance. They should also have certain health measurements that indicate poor blood flow. However, people with other serious health conditions, recent heat exposure, or certain treatments for cancer or diabetes may not be eligible. Participants will be asked to follow specific instructions and will be monitored throughout the study. This trial is not yet recruiting, so there's no need to apply just yet.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • • Aged \> 18 years
• • ABPI \< 0.9 at rest or a drop of 20mmHG after exercise testing
• • Diagnosed with IC
• • Able to walk unaided
• • English-speaking and able to follow instructions
• • No previous history of heat syncope
• • Post-Menopausal or not on hormone therapy
• • Able to provide informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • • Walking impairment for a reason other than PAD
• • Critical limb ischaemia/rest pain
• • Asymptomatic PAD
• • Active cancer treatment
• • Clinically diagnosed diabetes or those with peripheral neuropathy
• • Recent / frequent heat exposure (e.g., sauna or hot tubs).
• • severe aortic stenosis, unstable angina, recent MI, stroke or TIA