Effectiveness of Text Message-based Rehabilitation Program for Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Background: Many patients with peripheral artery disease are unable to achieve healthy lifestyle after revascularization. There is evidence that rehabilitation program could result in decreased re-admission, reduced cardiometabolic risk factors and improved quality of life. Aim: This first randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of mobile phone text message-based rehabilitation on low density lipoprotein (LDL), Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), healthy lifestyle behaviors and quality of life for patients after revascularization. Methods: This is a 6 months randomized controlled trial. It is hypothesized that message-based rehabilitation program will be effective in improving the low density lipoprotein (LDL), Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), healthy lifestyle behaviors and quality of life for patients with peripheral artery disease after surgical revascularization. A total of 160 participants will be recruited for the study. The participants will be randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Both intervention and control groups will receive face-to-face lifestyle adherence counseling and booklet at baseline. The intervention group will receive 4 mobile phone messages per week for 24 weeks. All participants will be asked to fill in the questionnaires at the baseline, 6-week and 6-month follow-up in Surgical Out Patient Department (SOPD). Participants' blood results of low density lipoprotein (LDL) at the baseline and at 6-month follow-up will be retrieved from Computer Management System in SOPD The primary outcomes are the fasting LDL levels at 6 months. Secondary outcome are Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), BMI, Fasting glucose level, HDL level, Total cholesterol level, self-reported adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviours, quality of life and smoking status. Participants: The target participants of this study are peripheral artery disease patients who have received revascularization in the Surgical Department of a regional hospital in Hong Kong. T