Diet and exercise plan to help people with peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Official title: The Effects of Diet and Exercise Interventions in Peripheral Artery Disease
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11378395 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A modified DASH diet plus a regular exercise program is studied to help older adults with PAD walk longer, feel better, and have healthier blood vessels.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $505,642 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG070086-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378395 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults with peripheral artery disease and claudication who are able to participate in an exercise program.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unable to participate in physical activity or follow the diet plan may not experience benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests whether combining a MODified DASH diet with a structured exercise program improves walking ability, vascular health, and inflammation in older adults with PAD and claudication. Participants will follow either the modDASH+Ex plan or standard exercise alone, and researchers will compare outcomes like walking performance, quality of life, microvascular function, and inflammatory markers. The study builds on earlier work showing potential benefits from diet and exercise together, aiming to quantify improvements beyond standard care. Results could shape how clinicians prescribe lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms and improve function in PAD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with PAD could experience better walking ability, less pain, and improved vascular health through a feasible diet-and-exercise plan.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests combined diet and exercise can improve vascular health and function in PAD, but this specific modDASH+Ex approach is being tested for added benefit.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gardner, Andrew W — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Gardner, Andrew W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Low-dose colchicine to reduce vascular risk in people with peripheral artery disease
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-
Gamified home walking program to help seniors with peripheral artery disease improve walking and quality of life
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-
Fatty clues in leg arteries: how fat burning in mitochondria affects PAD and muscle health
This project looks at how fat metabolism in leg muscles relates to weakness and tissue damage in people with peripheral artery disease and aims to find new ways to help them.
-
Enhancing muscle energy to help leg function in PAD
A study to boost how muscle mitochondria work in people with peripheral artery disease to improve walking and leg function.
-
Low-dose colchicine for people with peripheral artery disease to reduce heart and limb risks
A large international study will test whether a low daily dose of colchicine can lower heart and limb complications for people with peripheral artery disease.
-
Low-dose colchicine for reducing vascular risk in people with PAD
A large international study will test whether a daily low dose of colchicine can lower heart and limb-related risks for people with peripheral artery disease.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.