Complementary therapies for peripheral arterial disease: systematic review

Pittler et al., 2005 | Atherosclerosis | Systematic Review

Citation

Pittler Max H, Ernst Edzard. Complementary therapies for peripheral arterial disease: systematic review. Atherosclerosis. 2005-Jul;181(1):1-7

Abstract

While peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects a considerable proportion of patients in the primary care setting, there is a high level of use of complementary treatment options. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of any type of complementary therapy for peripheral arterial disease. A systematic review was performed. Literature searches were conducted on Medline, Embase, Amed, and the Cochrane Library until December 2004. Hand-searches of medical journals and bibliographies were conducted. There were no restrictions regarding the language of publication. The screening of studies, selection, data extraction, the assessment of methodologic quality and validation were performed independently by the two reviewers. Data from randomized controlled trials, and systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which based their findings on the results of randomized controlled trials were included. Seven systematic reviews and meta-analyses and three additional randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The evidence relates to acupuncture, biofeedback, chelation therapy, CO(2)-applications and the dietary supplements Allium sativum (garlic), Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo), omega-3 fatty acids, padma 28 and Vitamin E. Most studies included only patients with peripheral arterial disease in Fontaine stage II (intermittent claudication). The reviewed RCTs, systematic reviews and meta-analyses which based their findings on the results of RCTs suggest that G. biloba is effective compared with placebo for patients with intermittent claudication. Evidence also suggests that padma 28 is effective for intermittent claudication, although more data are required to confirm these findings. For all other complementary treatment options there is no evidence beyond reasonable doubt to suggest effectiveness for patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Key Findings

For all other complementary treatment options there is no evidence beyond reasonable doubt to suggest effectiveness for patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	peripheral arterial disease in
Sample Size	See abstract
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	See abstract

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Complementary Therapies
Humans
Peripheral Vascular Diseases

Evidence Classification

Level: Systematic Review
Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
Vertical: vitamin-e

Provenance

PMID: 15939048
DOI: (not available)
PMCID: Not in PMC
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09