Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiopulmonary and Geiatrics Disorders

Background: In patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), walking is often limited by early pain onset due to vascular claudication. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the effect of application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on sympathetic ganglion on Leriche-Fontaine stage-II peripheral arterial disease patients. Methods : Forty patients were selected from outpatient vascular clinic from EL Sahel educational hospital with unilateral PAD (Leriche-Fontaine stage II), aged 50{u2013} 60 years of both sex participated in this study.They were randomly assigned into two groups equal in number A and B as following: Group A: received low-frequency TENS (frequency 4 Hz, pulse duration 200 os) applied through surface electrodes for 45 min per session, supramaximal stimulation to sympathetic ganglions in T12, L1, and L2, which innervate the lower extremity. For 45 min per session, three times per week for 12 weeks. Group B: the placebo stimulation was delivered as in group A but with a voltage level falling to zero for 10 sec of stimulation. Results: Group (A) showed significant increased percentage of ankle peak systolic velocity APSV by 40.32%, arterial diameter AD by 15.78%, intermittent claudication distance ICD by 60.76%, absolute claudication distance ACD by 153.27% and small significant decreased red blood cell distribution width RDW by 2.0% and mean platelet volume MPV by 3.96%. While group (B) showed non-significant increased percentage APSV 0.89% , AD by %5.5, ICD by 0.95%,ACD by 0.19% and non-significant decreased RDW by 0.26%, MPV by 0.35%.Conclusion:These results indicate that TENS application on sympathetic ganglion improves APSV, AD , ICD, ACD, RDW and MPV on Leriche-Fontaine stage-II peripheral arterial disease patients

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