[From the Cochrane Library: increased walking distance through supervised exercise therapy in patients with intermittent claudication].

Intermittent claudication is the most important symptom of peripheral arterial disease. Walking is the main treatment for intermittent claudication and is usually prescribed as a single recommendation to 'go home and walk'. A recent Cochrane systematic review of 7 randomised trials and 1 controlled trial compared a supervised walking regimen with non-supervised exercise therapy. Supervised exercise therapy showed statistically significant benefits compared with non-supervised exercise therapy. Further research is needed to determine the clinical relevance of this difference, with a focus on quality of life. Long-term results with supervised exercise therapy should be studied in future trials.