Abstract
BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a prevalent condition linked to atherosclerosis, often leading to intermittent claudication (IC), reduced mobility, and diminished quality of life. While supervised exercise programs are effective, home-based interventions offer a more accessible alternative, particularly in resource-limited settings. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured home-based walking exercise program in improving ankle brachial index (ABI) and maximum pain-free walking distance (PFWD) among patients with PAD. METHODOLOGY: A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was employed, involving 100 PAD patients purposively selected from GVN Hospital, Trichy, and KG Hospital, Coimbatore. Participants, aged 40-70 years, were assigned equally to control and experimental groups. The intervention group followed a four-week home-based walking program (30 min/day, five days/week), monitored via telephonic follow-ups and exercise diaries. PFWD was measured using the six-min walk test, and ABI was assessed pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS v21, with significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Post-intervention, both groups showed statistically significant improvements in ABI and PFWD (P < 0.05). The experimental group demonstrated greater gains, with ABI increasing from 0.633 to 0.941 and PFWD from 145 m to 265.5 m. In contrast, the control group showed smaller improvements (ABI: 0.624 to 0.841; PFWD: 130.5 to 190.5 m). CONCLUSION: The home-based walking exercise program significantly improved ABI and PFWD in PAD patients, supporting its use as an effective, accessible intervention to enhance functional outcomes and quality of life. Broader implementation and further research on long-term adherence and impact are recommended.