OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of moxibustion and treadmill exercise on transcutaneous oxygen tension and exercise capacity in lower limbs of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

METHODSTotally 58 mild-to-moderate PAD patients were assigned to the control group (18 cases), the moxibustion group (20 cases), and the treadmill exercise group (20 cases) by random digit table. Patients in the control group received conventional drug therapy for 12 weeks. Patients in the moxibustion group and the treadmill exercise group additionally received moxibustion [at Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Yongquan (KI1)] and treadmill exercise respectively, once per day, 5 times per week for 12 weeks in total. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) , transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO₂), 6-min walking test (6MWT), and walking impairment questionnaire (WIQ) were assessed before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the control group and the same group before treatment, there was no statistical difference in ABI in the moxibustion group and the treadmill exercise group (P > 0.05). But TcPO₂, 6MWT, and WIQ were obviously elevated (P < 0.01). Besides, 6MWT and WIQ assessment of the treadmill exercise group were better than that of the moxibustion group (P < 0.01) after intervention.

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion and treadmill exercise could improve the exercise capacity and TcPO₂of lower limbers in PAD patients.