Hospital exercise classes improve quality of life

Exercise classes at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) have been proven to increase patients’ walking distances and their quality of life.

The classes support patients with intermittent ‘claudication’ - a muscle pain that happens when you're active and stops when you rest. The aim is to improve a patient’s  lower limb blood supply, cardiac function, and inform them of the risk factors associated with peripheral arterial disease.  

Currently in a trial phase, the NICE recommended classes are for patients of vascular services at the Bournemouth Heart Club at the  Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH), with the plan to continue a series of weekly sessions.

Advanced nurse practitioner, Claire Thomson, said: “Claudication is a debilitating condition caused by narrowing or blockages of the arteries, supplying oxygenated blood to the legs. Patients experience cramp /aching type pains to the calves/thighs when they walk causing them to stop and rest before continuing on again. The classes have been established for the past 25 years at RBH, aiding many patients to improve their walking distances and reduce risk factors for peripheral and cardiovascular disease over the years.

“We have recently been able to move our classes to the Bournemouth Heart Club which is a purpose built gym facility on the grounds of RBH. The gym facility allows us to invite more patients to attend in a spacious, well-equipped safe area with free accessible parking.  We have already seen some improved outcomes since we started the classes several months ago.”

In order to be assessed for claudication symptoms, a patient will need to see their GP or healthcare practitioner in the first instance, who will perform an assessment and refer them if needed to the vascular nurse practitioner team. If symptoms are suggestive of claudication the patient’s options for treatment pathway will be discussed at this time.

Frank Pope is one of the patients currently trialing the classes. “Meeting the staff and other patients has certainly benefited me. They have helped me so much so I would certainly recommend them for anyone who has any difficulties in walking. Thank you for the tremendous effort you all put in to help us all.”