Effect of Adding Warm Compression to Exercise Therapy on Severity and Functional Status among Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Abstract

Background: Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CLTI) is a serious form of peripheral artery disease. Significantly influencing their quality of life and functional abilities and causing increased risk for limb amputation. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of adding warm compression to exercise therapy on limb ischemia severity and physical functional health status among patients with CLTI. Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was used. One hundred patients from the Vascular Surgery Department of Assiut University Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt, were selected as a purposive sample (50 in the control group and 50 in the study group). A patient assessment form, a standardized classification system for CLTI severity assessment, and a physical functional health status assessment form were used to collect the data. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between both groups at 1 and 6 months postoperatively regarding the stage of CLTI severity (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Also, there are statistically significant differences between the two times (1st and 6th month postoperative) between both studied groups regarding the mean physical functional health status (P<0.001**). Conclusion: The study findings indicated that the implementation of exercise and warm compression positively influenced postoperative patient outcomes. The study suggests that exercise and warm compression should be regarded as an essential component of the standard hospital therapy for patients with CLTI.