Smart Anklet Use to Measure Vascular Health Benefits of Preventive Intervention in a Nature-Based Environment—A Pilot Study

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the associations between nature-based intervention and peripheral pulse characteristics of patients with PAOD using new smart technology specifically designed for this purpose. A longitudinal panel study performed between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 included 32 patients diagnosed with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) who were treated in the vascular surgeons’ hospital “Dobb” in Valjevo. These patients were exposed for six months to moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) in a nature-based environment. They practiced 150 to 300 min of walking 6 km/h and cycling activities (16–20 km/h) weekly as recommended for patients with chronic conditions and those living with disability. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with major improvements in peripheral pulse characteristics of patients with PAOD. After six months of MPA, half of the patients (50%, 16/32) achieved minor, and half of them major improvements in peripheral pulse characteristics. The major improvements were associated with current smoking (OR = 9.53; 95%CI = 1.85–49.20), diabetes (OR = 4.84; 95%CI = 1.09–21.58) and cardiac failure, and concurrent pulmonary disease and diabetes (OR = 2.03; 95%CI = 1.01–4.11). Our pilot study showed that patients with PAOD along with other chronic conditions and risk factors benefited more from continuous physical activity in a nature-based environment.