Follow-up of patients with chronic obstructive arterial disease, some months after their rehabilitation: Assessment of a therapeutic education program

Abstract

This study aims to assess, in the long term, the effects of TPE in VR, and to observe the transformation of certain lifestyle habits of patients. We convened 68 patients (51 men and 17 women) 6 months and 1 year after VR treatment during which these patients participated in an TPE program. We assessed: knowledge by questionnaire, walking range, weight and body composition by impedimetric techniques. We found that patients improved their knowledge at the end of rehabilitation 45.8 (±7.6) of good responses on average, compared to 36.2 (±8.6) at the beginning of rehabilitation and these results are consolidated 6 months after 43.4 (±7.5) and 1 year after 44.1 (±8.1). We also found that walking distances during treadmill testing and outdoor walking improved at the end of rehabilitation and were maintained at six months and one year. Finally, weight, fat mass and lean mass decreased slightly compared to the end of rehabilitation. Only 7 patients out of 22 gave up smoking. An education program concerning risk factor management during vascular rehabilitation enables patients to acquire knowledge that can be used to maintain new lifestyle habits and stabilize their health status.