ABSTRACT Background : Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) causes pathophysiological changes in lower limb muscles, particularly calf muscles, and limits ankle range of motion (ROM). These changes reduce functional activities and decreases the quality of life (QOL). Although several studies have shown benefits of exercise (strengthening the calf muscles to improve calf muscle pumping and QOL in patients with CVI), only a few randomized clinical trials are based on exercise programs. This has led to a weak indication of exercise for the treatment of patients with CVI. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of a supervised exercise program to improve calf muscle strength and endurance besides QOL in patients with CVI. Methods : This is an evaluator-blind, randomized clinical trial with an 8-week duration and 16-week follow-up period. This study is planned to include 26 participants with CVI diagnosis. The participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) into a treatment or control group (usual care/no intervention). The treatment intervention consists of a bi-weekly supervised exercise program of the lower limbs that will include aerobic training, strengthening, and cardiovascular exercises. The participants from both groups will participate in a health education lecture. Primary outcomes are change of calf muscle endurance, strength, and QOL score and secondary outcomes are change of exercise capacity and ankle ROM. Discussion : Patients with CVI may have an impaired calf muscle pump. Strengthening calf muscles and increasing resistance can significantly improve exercise capacity and health in patients with CVI. A supervised exercise program will provide much needed information on the management of CVI to promote health and independence.
Trial registration: This study was registered on the Brazilian Clinical Trials Database (REBEC) (RBR-57xtk7). The results will be disseminated at scientific events, presentations, and publications in peer reviewed journals.

Figure 1

Figure 2
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
Loading...
On 10 Apr, 2020
Received 16 Mar, 2020
Invitations sent on 01 Mar, 2020
On 01 Mar, 2020
On 27 Feb, 2020
On 26 Feb, 2020
On 09 Dec, 2019
Received 03 Dec, 2019
Received 03 Dec, 2019
On 29 Nov, 2019
On 25 Nov, 2019
On 25 Nov, 2019
Invitations sent on 25 Nov, 2019
On 24 Nov, 2019
Posted 11 Oct, 2019
On 02 Sep, 2019
Received 13 Aug, 2019
Received 13 Aug, 2019
On 12 Aug, 2019
On 12 Aug, 2019
Received 12 Aug, 2019
On 09 Aug, 2019
Invitations sent on 09 Aug, 2019
On 09 Aug, 2019
On 08 Aug, 2019
On 23 May, 2019
Received 19 May, 2019
Received 13 May, 2019
Received 08 May, 2019
On 05 May, 2019
On 03 May, 2019
On 02 May, 2019
Invitations sent on 10 Mar, 2019
On 19 Feb, 2019
On 22 Jan, 2019
On 20 Jan, 2019
On 10 Apr, 2020
Received 16 Mar, 2020
Invitations sent on 01 Mar, 2020
On 01 Mar, 2020
On 27 Feb, 2020
On 26 Feb, 2020
On 09 Dec, 2019
Received 03 Dec, 2019
Received 03 Dec, 2019
On 29 Nov, 2019
On 25 Nov, 2019
On 25 Nov, 2019
Invitations sent on 25 Nov, 2019
On 24 Nov, 2019
Posted 11 Oct, 2019
On 02 Sep, 2019
Received 13 Aug, 2019
Received 13 Aug, 2019
On 12 Aug, 2019
On 12 Aug, 2019
Received 12 Aug, 2019
On 09 Aug, 2019
Invitations sent on 09 Aug, 2019
On 09 Aug, 2019
On 08 Aug, 2019
On 23 May, 2019
Received 19 May, 2019
Received 13 May, 2019
Received 08 May, 2019
On 05 May, 2019
On 03 May, 2019
On 02 May, 2019
Invitations sent on 10 Mar, 2019
On 19 Feb, 2019
On 22 Jan, 2019
On 20 Jan, 2019
ABSTRACT Background : Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) causes pathophysiological changes in lower limb muscles, particularly calf muscles, and limits ankle range of motion (ROM). These changes reduce functional activities and decreases the quality of life (QOL). Although several studies have shown benefits of exercise (strengthening the calf muscles to improve calf muscle pumping and QOL in patients with CVI), only a few randomized clinical trials are based on exercise programs. This has led to a weak indication of exercise for the treatment of patients with CVI. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of a supervised exercise program to improve calf muscle strength and endurance besides QOL in patients with CVI. Methods : This is an evaluator-blind, randomized clinical trial with an 8-week duration and 16-week follow-up period. This study is planned to include 26 participants with CVI diagnosis. The participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) into a treatment or control group (usual care/no intervention). The treatment intervention consists of a bi-weekly supervised exercise program of the lower limbs that will include aerobic training, strengthening, and cardiovascular exercises. The participants from both groups will participate in a health education lecture. Primary outcomes are change of calf muscle endurance, strength, and QOL score and secondary outcomes are change of exercise capacity and ankle ROM. Discussion : Patients with CVI may have an impaired calf muscle pump. Strengthening calf muscles and increasing resistance can significantly improve exercise capacity and health in patients with CVI. A supervised exercise program will provide much needed information on the management of CVI to promote health and independence.
Trial registration: This study was registered on the Brazilian Clinical Trials Database (REBEC) (RBR-57xtk7). The results will be disseminated at scientific events, presentations, and publications in peer reviewed journals.

Figure 1

Figure 2
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
Loading...