Effects of Body Awareness Therapy on Functional Capacity, With Peripheral Artery Disease

Effects of Body Awareness Therapy on Physical Psychosocial Outcomes in Peripheral Artery Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Patients will be divided into two groups. One group will receive only a conventional physiotherapy program. The conventional physiotherapy program included breathing and aerobic exercises, energy conservation techniques, and activities of daily living. The exercises were supervised once a week and unsupervised for six days. The program was administered 1 x 7 x 8 hours/day/week.

The experimental group received Body Awareness therapy in addition to the conventional physiotherapy program. The exercise content included relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, floor exercises for trunk and pelvic movements, and extremity movements. Body Awareness Therapy was also administered 1 x 7 x 8 hours/day/week.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) (confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography or Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) ≤ 0.90).
• Being between 40 and 75 years of age.
• Having Stage II-III PAD.
• Being able to walk independently or with minimal support.
• Being fit for exercise with cardiac or pulmonary functions.
• Having a cognitive level sufficient to participate in body awareness training.
• Having a stable cardiovascular status (not having had an acute cardiac event, myocardial infarction, or stroke) within the last 6 months.
• Agreeing to actively participate in the study and signing the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having Stage IV PAD.
• Individuals unable to carry out daily activities due to severe rest pain.
• Serious cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, cognitive, or musculoskeletal diseases
• Those who have had a myocardial infarction, stroke, or surgery within the last 6 months.
• Uncontrolled hypertension, heart failure, respiratory failure, or dependence on oxygen support
• Active infection or inflammatory diseases
• Uncontrolled diabetes or renal failure
• Missed 2 consecutive sessions