PAD is a prevalent chronic condition, affecting approximately 200 million individuals globally, characterized by obstruction of the peripheral arteries, especially in the lower extremities, due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, which compromise blood flow and tissue oxygenation. In the early stages, PAD is predominantly manifested by intermittent claudication, a condition characterized by pain or muscle cramps induced by physical exertion, with relief after rest. In more advanced stages, the disease can progress to critical ischemia, defined as a severe reduction in blood flow to the tissues, resulting in pain at rest, ulcers or wounds that don’t heal. In these cases, gangrene can develop, which consists of tissue death caused by a lack of blood supply, often leading to the need for amputations. As well as significantly impairing patients’ quality of life, PAD is associated with a substantial increase in the risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Given its high prevalence and the debilitating effects it causes, there is an urgent need for early diagnosis, effective clinical management and the implementation of affordable interventions to improve clinical outcomes and mitigate the effects of the disease.
Peripheral , Peripheral , Peripheral , Peripheral , Peripheral , Peripheral , Peripheral , Peripheral Peripheral Peripheral
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Home / Publications / Publication
THE ROLE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MONITORING AND REHABILITATION OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE
Publication type: Article Summary
Original title: A systematic review on smartphone use for activity monitoring during exercise therapy in intermittent claudication
Article publication date: December 2022
Source: Journal of Vascular Surgery
Authors: Carlos Veiga, Susana Pedras, Rafaela Oliveira, Hugo Paredes & Ivone Silva
What is the goal, target audience, and areas of digital health it addresses?
This study aims to evaluate the current use of smartphone technologies, namely mobile applications, to monitor and track patients’ physical activity in exercise therapy for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), with a focus on intermittent claudication. The target audience includes patients with PAD, as well as healthcare professionals interested in digital solutions for optimizing this rehabilitation process and developers of technologies aimed at this area of digital health. The study falls within the areas of m-Health, wearable devices and digital rehabilitation.
What is the context?
PAD is a prevalent chronic condition, affecting approximately 200 million individuals globally, characterized by obstruction of the peripheral arteries, especially in the lower extremities, due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, which compromise blood flow and tissue oxygenation. In the early stages, PAD is predominantly manifested by intermittent claudication, a condition characterized by pain or muscle cramps induced by physical exertion, with relief after rest. In more advanced stages, the disease can progress to critical ischemia, defined as a severe reduction in blood flow to the tissues, resulting in pain at rest, ulcers or wounds that don’t heal. In these cases, gangrene can develop, which consists of tissue death caused by a lack of blood supply, often leading to the need for amputations. As well as significantly impairing patients’ quality of life, PAD is associated with a substantial increase in the risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Given its high prevalence and the debilitating effects it causes, there is an urgent need for early diagnosis, effective clinical management and the implementation of affordable interventions to improve clinical outcomes and mitigate the effects of the disease.
What are the current approaches?
Currently, the approaches used to monitor and treat PAD combine traditional methods with innovative technological solutions, seeking to improve adherence, efficacy and accessibility of therapies. Supervised therapy is widely recognized as the standard treatment, with structured exercise programs carried out under the direct supervision of healthcare professionals. However, its implementation faces significant challenges, such as high costs, the need for frequent travel and low patient adherence, limiting its applicability, especially in health systems with restricted resources or in populations with mobility difficulties. As an alternative, home-based therapy allows patients to perform exercises at home, offering greater convenience and lower costs. However, this approach is less effective due to the lack of continuous monitoring and motivational support.
To overcome these limitations, technological advances have been incorporated into the treatment of PAD, including the use of wearables and mobile applications. In addition, telemonitoring and telemedicine tools have played a growing role, allowing remote monitoring via calls or digital platforms.
What does study consist of? How is the impact assessed?
This literature review analyzed the integrating of technologies based on smartphones and wearables for monitoring and tracking physical activity during exercise therapy in patients with PAD. This approach modernizes and complements traditional strategies, offering more accessible, accurate and personalized tools. Seven articles were included, covering six studies and five mobile applications, such as FitBit, Nike+ FuelBand and Garmin Connect, as well as specific applications such as TrackPAD and Movn, which have stand out in managing the condition.
These technologies replace conventional self-registration methods, which are often inaccurate, with more precise and reliable alternatives, allowing continuous tracking of metrics such as steps, heart rate and exercise duration. Mobile apps offer advanced features such as adjusted goals, reminders, symptom logging and real-time data sharing with healthcare professionals, enabling personalized adjustments and remote supervision. Elements of gamification, such as rankings, medals and performance comparisons, make therapy more engaging, while educational modules promote patients’ autonomy and active involvement in treatment.
The impacts reported in the included articles was assessed based on improvements in clinical outcomes, including increased distance travel, greater adherence to treatment and better results in walking tests, such as the 6-minute walk test.
What are the main results? What is the impact of these results? What is the future of these technologies?
The results highlighted that mobile technologies and wearables were highly effective in monitoring the physical activity of patients with PAD, promoting significant improvements in treatment adherence and functional capacity. The use of smartwatches, fitness trackers, and mobile apps, which offer continuous monitoring and feedback, resulted in an increase in physical activity, translating into more daily steps, greater distance travel and better performance in walking tests, such as the 6-minute walk test. In addition, gamification elements such as rankings and medals increased patient engagement and satisfaction, with patients reporting greater convenience and control over their treatment.
In this way, these technologies offer an accessible and practical alternative to traditional therapies, overcoming logistical and financial barriers such as frequent travelling and high costs, especially for populations in remote areas or with reduced mobility. Telemonitoring has enabled efficient remote monitoring, with rapid adjustments to therapeutic plans and ongoing support, while digital education strategies have promoted greater adherence, resulting in more consistent and lasting benefits in the management of the condition.
The future of these technologies is highly promising, with the potential to integrate artificial intelligence to personalize treatment plans based on real-time data analysis, optimizing interventions in a more precise and patient-centered way. In addition, connectivity with other medical devices could provide a more comprehensive view of the patient’s health, allowing for more targeted adjustments. Emerging technologies such as virtual reality and advanced gamification can make treatments more engaging and motivating, extending access and positive impact to a wider range of patients, including those with less technological familiarity.
Would you like to know all the details?
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Home / Publications / Publication
THE ROLE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MONITORING AND REHABILITATION OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE
Publication type: Article Summary
Original title: A systematic review on smartphone use for activity monitoring during exercise therapy in intermittent claudication
Article publication date: December 2022
Source: Journal of Vascular Surgery
Authors: Carlos Veiga, Susana Pedras, Rafaela Oliveira, Hugo Paredes & Ivone Silva
What is the goal, target audience, and areas of digital health it addresses?
This study aims to evaluate the current use of smartphone technologies, namely mobile applications, to monitor and track patients’ physical activity in exercise therapy for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), with a focus on intermittent claudication. The target audience includes patients with PAD, as well as healthcare professionals interested in digital solutions for optimizing this rehabilitation process and developers of technologies aimed at this area of digital health. The study falls within the areas of m-Health, wearable devices and digital rehabilitation.
What is the context?
PAD is a prevalent chronic condition, affecting approximately 200 million individuals globally, characterized by obstruction of the peripheral arteries, especially in the lower extremities, due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, which compromise blood flow and tissue oxygenation. In the early stages, PAD is predominantly manifested by intermittent claudication, a condition characterized by pain or muscle cramps induced by physical exertion, with relief after rest. In more advanced stages, the disease can progress to critical ischemia, defined as a severe reduction in blood flow to the tissues, resulting in pain at rest, ulcers or wounds that don’t heal. In these cases, gangrene can develop, which consists of tissue death caused by a lack of blood supply, often leading to the need for amputations. As well as significantly impairing patients’ quality of life, PAD is associated with a substantial increase in the risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Given its high prevalence and the debilitating effects it causes, there is an urgent need for early diagnosis, effective clinical management and the implementation of affordable interventions to improve clinical outcomes and mitigate the effects of the disease.
What are the current approaches?
Currently, the approaches used to monitor and treat PAD combine traditional methods with innovative technological solutions, seeking to improve adherence, efficacy and accessibility of therapies. Supervised therapy is widely recognized as the standard treatment, with structured exercise programs carried out under the direct supervision of healthcare professionals. However, its implementation faces significant challenges, such as high costs, the need for frequent travel and low patient adherence, limiting its applicability, especially in health systems with restricted resources or in populations with mobility difficulties. As an alternative, home-based therapy allows patients to perform exercises at home, offering greater convenience and lower costs. However, this approach is less effective due to the lack of continuous monitoring and motivational support.
To overcome these limitations, technological advances have been incorporated into the treatment of PAD, including the use of wearables and mobile applications. In addition, telemonitoring and telemedicine tools have played a growing role, allowing remote monitoring via calls or digital platforms.
What does study consist of? How is the impact assessed?
This literature review analyzed the integrating of technologies based on smartphones and wearables for monitoring and tracking physical activity during exercise therapy in patients with PAD. This approach modernizes and complements traditional strategies, offering more accessible, accurate and personalized tools. Seven articles were included, covering six studies and five mobile applications, such as FitBit, Nike+ FuelBand and Garmin Connect, as well as specific applications such as TrackPAD and Movn, which have stand out in managing the condition.
These technologies replace conventional self-registration methods, which are often inaccurate, with more precise and reliable alternatives, allowing continuous tracking of metrics such as steps, heart rate and exercise duration. Mobile apps offer advanced features such as adjusted goals, reminders, symptom logging and real-time data sharing with healthcare professionals, enabling personalized adjustments and remote supervision. Elements of gamification, such as rankings, medals and performance comparisons, make therapy more engaging, while educational modules promote patients’ autonomy and active involvement in treatment.
The impacts reported in the included articles was assessed based on improvements in clinical outcomes, including increased distance travel, greater adherence to treatment and better results in walking tests, such as the 6-minute walk test.
What are the main results? What is the impact of these results? What is the future of these technologies?
The results highlighted that mobile technologies and wearables were highly effective in monitoring the physical activity of patients with PAD, promoting significant improvements in treatment adherence and functional capacity. The use of smartwatches, fitness trackers, and mobile apps, which offer continuous monitoring and feedback, resulted in an increase in physical activity, translating into more daily steps, greater distance travel and better performance in walking tests, such as the 6-minute walk test. In addition, gamification elements such as rankings and medals increased patient engagement and satisfaction, with patients reporting greater convenience and control over their treatment.
In this way, these technologies offer an accessible and practical alternative to traditional therapies, overcoming logistical and financial barriers such as frequent travelling and high costs, especially for populations in remote areas or with reduced mobility. Telemonitoring has enabled efficient remote monitoring, with rapid adjustments to therapeutic plans and ongoing support, while digital education strategies have promoted greater adherence, resulting in more consistent and lasting benefits in the management of the condition.
The future of these technologies is highly promising, with the potential to integrate artificial intelligence to personalize treatment plans based on real-time data analysis, optimizing interventions in a more precise and patient-centered way. In addition, connectivity with other medical devices could provide a more comprehensive view of the patient’s health, allowing for more targeted adjustments. Emerging technologies such as virtual reality and advanced gamification can make treatments more engaging and motivating, extending access and positive impact to a wider range of patients, including those with less technological familiarity.
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