Abstract
BACKGROUND: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) significantly impairs functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) due to reduced lower limb perfusion. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a nurse-led intervention program incorporating dietary counseling, exercise, and education on functional capacity and QoL in PAD patients. METHODS: A pretest/posttest-controlled design was employed with 30 participants (15 experimental, 15 control) recruited from KG Hospital, Coimbatore, India. The intervention included nutritional supplementation, home-based walking, Buerger Allen exercises, and educational sessions over six months. Outcomes were assessed using the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ), and VascuQoL-25 at baseline, three months, and six months. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significant improvements in ABI (0.84 vs. 0.65, P < 0.0001), 6MWT distance (278.87 vs. 186.93 meters, P < 0.0001), and WIQ scores (all P < 0.01) at six months compared to controls. Biochemical markers, including fasting blood sugar (FBS) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), also improved significantly. No adverse events were reported, indicating the intervention's safety. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that nurse-led interventions are effective in enhancing functional capacity and metabolic health in PAD patients, supporting their integration into clinical practice.