Improving Walking for Overweight People with Peripheral Artery Disease
ConProject-006
This project helps people with peripheral artery disease who are also overweight or obese improve their walking ability through a combination of weight loss and exercise.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10891385 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are also overweight or obese, which can make walking more difficult and lead to faster decline. While walking exercise is a common way to improve PAD symptoms, our previous observations suggest that combining weight loss with exercise might be even more helpful. This project will explore if a special program that combines a structured weight loss plan with walking exercise can improve walking ability more effectively than exercise alone for overweight or obese individuals with PAD. The weight loss program uses group support, mobile technology, remote coaching, and a specific diet plan. A pilot study has already shown promising initial results for this combined approach.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals with lower extremity peripheral artery disease who are also overweight or obese, specifically with a BMI greater than 28 kg/m2.
Not a fit: Patients who are not overweight or obese, or who do not have peripheral artery disease, would not be the focus of this particular intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a more effective way for overweight or obese individuals with PAD to improve their walking and overall physical function.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational data and a pilot study have shown promising results for combining weight loss with exercise in this population, suggesting this combined approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdermott, Mary Mcgrae — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Mcdermott, Mary Mcgrae
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.