Barriers and enablers to walking in individuals with intermittent claudication: a systematic review to conceptualize a relevant and patient-centered program

Abaraogu, U., Ezenwankwo, E., Dall, P., Tew, G., Stuart, W., Brittenden, J. and Seenan, C. (2018) Barriers and enablers to walking in individuals with intermittent claudication: a systematic review to conceptualize a relevant and patient-centered program. PLoS ONE, 13(7), e0201095. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201095) (PMID:30048501)

Abstract

Background: Walking limitation in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and intermittent claudication (IC) contributes to poorer disease outcomes. Identifying and examining barriers to walking may be an important step in developing a comprehensive patient-centered self-management intervention to promote walking in this population. Aim: To systematically review the literature regarding barriers and enablers to walking exercise in individuals with IC. Methods: A systematic review was conducted utilizing integrative review methodology. Five electronic databases and the reference lists of relevant studies were searched. Findings were categorized into personal, walking activity related, and environmental barriers and enablers using a social cognitive framework. Results: Eighteen studies including quantitative (n = 12), qualitative (n = 5), and mixed method (n = 1) designs, and reporting data from a total of 4376 patients with IC, were included in the review. The most frequently reported barriers to engaging in walking were comorbid health concerns, walking induced pain, lack of knowledge (e.g. about the disease pathology and walking recommendations), and poor walking capacity. The most frequently reported enablers were cognitive coping strategies, good support systems, and receiving specific instructions to walk. Findings suggest additionally that wider behavioral and environmental obstacles should be addressed in a patient-centered self-management intervention. Conclusions: This review has identified multidimensional factors influencing walking in patients with IC. Within the social cognitive framework, these factors fall within patient level factors (e.g. comorbid health concerns), walking related factors (e.g. claudication pain), and environmental factors (e.g. support systems). These factors are worth considering when developing self-management interventions to increase walking in patients with IC. Systematic review registration CRD42018070418.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stuart, Mr Wesley and Brittenden, Professor Julie

Creator Roles

Stuart, W.: Visualization, Writing – review and editing
Brittenden, J.: Visualization, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Abaraogu, U., Ezenwankwo, E., Dall, P., Tew, G., Stuart, W., Brittenden, J., and Seenan, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: PLoS ONE
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• ISSN (Online): 1932-6203
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 Abaraogu et al.
• First Published: First published in PLoS ONE 13(7): e0201095
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License