LAUSR

Provision, uptake, adherence, and completion rates for supervised exercise programmes (SEP) for intermittent claudication (IC) are low. For patients, SEPs are too time intensive. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be a time-efficient, effective alternative. This was an NIHR funded, multicentre, proof-of-concept study. HIIT was performed three times per week for six-weeks and involved a 1:1 work to rest ratio. Outcomes were feasibility, tolerability, safety and potential efficacy. 279 patients were screened, 59% were eligible and 25% were recruited for HIIT. 78% of patients completed HIIT, though 3 patients (7.5%) were unable to tolerate it. Patients attended 99% of training sessions, with 84% of sessions completed in full, largely at the required intensity. There were no related serious adverse events. The mean improvements in MWD and physical functioning were 94m (95%CI=66.6-120.8m), and 4.4% (95%CI=-1.1–9.9%) respectively. Uptake to HIIT was comparable to SEPs, but completion rates were higher. Most sessions were completed in full with no related serious adverse events. There was an improvement in MWD. HIIT appears feasible, safe, tolerable and potentially beneficial for patients with IC. It may provide a more deliverable, more acceptable, SEP. A non-inferiority trial of HIIT vs. SEPs appears warranted.