Description

Design A single centre, pilot, randomised controlled trial at Mid and South Essex Hospitals Foundation Trust. The study is unfunded and sponsored by Mid and South Essex Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

Sample size This is a pilot randomised controlled trial to generate a sample size calculation for a larger trial.

Based on the feasibility data from RESET1 and the published results of supervised exercise, the expected benefit of remotely supervised exercise is about 180 metres extra walking distance, with a standard deviation of 150m in both groups.

With alpha=0.05 (5% false positive rate) and beta=0.1 (90% power), 16 patients in each arm are required to demonstrate a mean difference in the primary endpoint of 180 metres, using a 2 sided t-test (MedCalc statistical software, Belgium).

The sample size will be 20+20 patients from Mid and South Essex Trust vascular outpatient clinics.

Follow up There will be 3 assessment visits: baseline, 3 months and 6 months performed with a study clinician.

The primary endpoint will be measured blind to treatment allocation by asking the patient to walk along a flat, hospital corridor until they need to stop due to leg pain. This will be measured at 0, 3 and 6 months.

The secondary endpoint will be through patient questionnaires and scored by an independent observer at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

Ankle-brachial pressure index will be measured by an independent vascular scientist at the start and end of the study.

Patient satisfaction will be measured at 3 months using a self-reported questionnaire.

Adherence to exercise will be measured through submission of walking logs at 1, 2 and 3 months.