Improving Walking for People with Peripheral Artery Disease Through Weight Loss and Exercise
ConProject-002
This project explores if combining a weight loss program with walking exercise helps overweight or obese individuals with peripheral artery disease walk better than exercise alone.
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-10891379 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 treatment, our earlier observations suggest that adding weight loss might offer even greater benefits. This project will test if a special weight loss program, combined with walking, improves your ability to walk more than just walking exercise alone. The weight loss program uses group support, mobile technology, coaching, and a specific diet plan.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals with lower extremity peripheral artery disease who are also overweight or obese (BMI over 28 kg/m2).
Not a fit: Patients who are not overweight or obese, or who do not have peripheral artery disease, would likely not receive direct benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve walking ability and overall functional performance for overweight or obese individuals living with peripheral artery disease.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary observational data and a pilot study have shown promising results, indicating that combining weight loss with exercise may reduce functional decline and lead to modest weight loss.
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.