An ICT-Based Wearable Device Enhances Physical Function in Patients with Arteriosclerosis Obliterans: A 12-Week Intervention Study (Preprint)

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Claudication, a characteristic manifestation of ASO, results from diminished blood flow due to arterial constriction. Engaging in a daily routine comprising moderate-to-vigorous physical activities (MVPAs) for a minimum of 30 min has been thoroughly substantiated as a viable strategy for preventing and managing cardiovascular pathologies. The body of academic research focusing on the enhancement of claudication gait using ICT-integrated wearable monitoring interventions is remarkably limited. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This study examined the effects of a 12-week supervised exercise regimen employing an information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled wearable device on the physical functionality of individuals diagnosed with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> In total, 52 participants (30 individuals with ASO and 22 healthy controls) were recruited and evaluated for grip strength, 6-min walk test (6MWT) distance, gait speed, five times sit-to-stand test, quality of life (World Health Organization quality-of-life assessment), and cognitive capability (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] and Short-Form Geriatric Depression Scale). </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> Machine learning analysis revealed that gait speed and 6MWT distance were the most significant predictors of ASO. The intervention cohort exhibited noteworthy improvements in gait speed (from 1.09±0.18 to 1.14±0.16 m/s) and 6MWT distance (from 405.70±87.86 to 448.00±69.07 m) compared with the control group. The intervention cohort sustained moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels exceeding 40 min/day, whereas the control group showed a decline from 30 min/day to 20 min/day. The adjusted models corroborated the significant disparities in gait speed, MMSE score, and 6MWT distance between the two groups. </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> These results suggest that the ICT-based wearable device can efficiently facilitate and maintain MVPA levels in patients with ASO, culminating in enhanced gait functionality and diminished claudication symptoms. This methodology may offer a scalable framework for the remote rehabilitation of individuals with mobility-restricting vascular disorders. </sec> <sec> <title>CLINICALTRIAL</title> UMIN000059090 </sec>