Home-based walking program for veterans with peripheral artery disease

Telehealth Delivered Home-based Walking for Vets With Peripheral Artery Disease (TREK-PAD)

NA · VA Office of Research and Development · NCT06033924

This study is testing two ways to deliver a home walking program for veterans with peripheral artery disease to see if it helps them walk farther and feel better.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment225 (estimated)
Ages21 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorVA Office of Research and Development (fed)
Locations3 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06033924 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates two methods of delivering a home-based walking program for veterans with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Participants will be randomized to receive either a web-based or telehealth-delivered walking program, or usual care. The program includes step count goals, healthy walking information, and motivational messages, and lasts for a total of 36 weeks. The study aims to assess improvements in walking distance and quality of life among participants. Additionally, those who do not respond to their initial program may be re-randomized to a combination of both delivery methods.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are veterans diagnosed with lower extremity PAD who are able to walk at least one city block and have a sedentary lifestyle.

Not a fit: Patients with severe comorbidities that limit walking or those who are wheelchair-bound will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve walking ability and quality of life for veterans with peripheral artery disease.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar home-based walking interventions, indicating potential for positive outcomes in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women
* Diagnosis of lower extremity PAD due to atherosclerosis
* Claudication with walking defined as stage 1-3 on the Rutherford Scale
* Medical clearance from the patient's primary care provider or vascular care provider
* Ability to walk at least one city block
* Self-reported sedentary behaviors defined as \< 150 minutes per week of physical activity
* Access to a phone and/or email \& Internet
* Competent to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Life expectancy of less than six months
* Comorbidities that limit walking to a severe degree (i.e., wheelchair-bound)
* Resident of a nursing home
* Recent enrollment in an exercise program or performing 150 minutes per week or more of exercise
* Planned revascularization or amputation in the next two months
* Recent CVD events (\< 3 months) including stroke/TIA, MI, UA, PCI/CABG
* Unstable cardiac conditions (severe valve disease, NYHA class III-IV heart failure, untreated complex congenital heart disease, or complex arrhythmias)
* Current substance abuse
* Psychiatric disorder which limits the patient's ability to follow the study protocol
* Pregnancy
* Inability to speak and read English

Where this trial is running

Birmingham, Alabama and 2 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Peripheral Artery Disease, peripheral artery disease, physical activity, quality of life

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.