A Pilot Study Examining the Effects of Ischemic Conditioning on Walking Capacity and Lower Extremity Muscle Performance in Patients with Claudication.

Introduction: This study investigated whether a novel therapy called ischemic conditioning (IC) improves walking capacity and lower extremity muscle performance in patients with peripheral vascular disease who experience intermittent claudication.

Methods: Forty-three patients with claudication were enrolled and received either IC or IC Sham for 2 weeks in this randomized, controlled, double-blinded, prospective study. IC sessions involved five cycles of alternating 5-min inflations of a blood pressure cuff to 225 mm Hg (25 mm Hg for IC Sham) and 5-min deflations, around the thigh of the affected lower extremity.