Observational study;
Prospective validation study Dutch version walking impairment Questionnaire (WIQ).

Background

The Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) is a questionnaire, often used in peripheral arterial disease studies. A disadvantage for the Dutch situation is that the distances asked in this questionnaire are measured in “Feet” and “Blocks”. A validation of the Dutch version which is culturally adapted to the Dutch situation seems required.

There seems to be a discrepancy between walking ability on the treadmill and the walking ability experienced by patients in daily life. Therefore, the Dutch version of the WIQ will also be validated with a walking-outside-test.

All patients with intermittent claudication receive supervised exercise therapy to improve their walking distances. To examine if the Dutch WIQ is capable of measuring therapy effect, all measurements will be repeated after 3 months of supervised exercise therapy.




Objective

Main goal of this study is the validation of the Dutch version of the WIQ at baseline and after three months of supervised exercise therapy.




Methods

Patients with peripheral arterial disease, stage 2 according to Fontaine, will have to answer three questionnaires and perform two walking tests; one on a treadmill and one outside before starting supervised exercise therapy and 3 months thereafter.




Conclusion

This study will provide insight in the validity and reliability of the Dutch version of the WIQ before the start of supervised exercise therapy as well as after three months of therapy.

1.The Dutch version of the walking impairment questionnaire is a valid instrument for measuring walking disability in patients with peripheral arterial disease;

2.There is a difference between the walking ability experienced by patients on a treadmill and in daily life.

Baseline and after three months of therapy.

Supervised exercise therapy.