Research & Resources
The Evidence Behind Our Approach
Thrive's existing website built a substantial EECP research library, and we have preserved that authority here: organized by topic, written for non-experts and always linked to primary sources so you can verify what we say.
Cornerstone Studies
Three Studies Worth Knowing
MUST-EECP
The foundational randomized, sham-controlled trial of EECP for stable angina, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 1999. It found significant reductions in anginal episodes and improved functional status.
PEECH Trial
A randomized trial of EECP in patients with mild-to-moderate heart failure, published in JACC in 2006. More EECP patients increased exercise time by 60 seconds or more at six months compared with controls.
Vascular Function Research
A 2010 Circulation study found EECP significantly improved flow-mediated dilation, a measure of endothelial function, in patients with chronic angina versus a sham group.
Every summary on this site is deliberately conservative: studies "found" and therapies "may support," because that is how evidence actually works.
Browse by Topic
Explore the Topics
Cardiovascular Health
Landmark trials including MUST-EECP, plus CMS coverage policy.
Circulation & Vascular Function
Studies of blood flow, endothelial function and arteries.
Exercise Capacity
The PEECH trial, six-minute walk distance and tolerance.
EECP Safety
Decades of clinical use and systematic safety reviews.
Performance & Recovery
Circulation support for athletes and active adults.
General Wellness
Why circulation, oxygen and recovery matter to everyone.
Regulatory Context
FDA Clearance & CMS Coverage
EECP is an FDA-cleared medical technology, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a National Coverage Determination for External Counterpulsation in refractory angina. These determinations matter because they represent formal regulatory review of the therapy's evidence.
- Read the CMS coverage analysis
- For all other technologies we offer, we follow the same standard: published evidence, legitimate regulatory status and honest claims, reviewed with each patient's individual situation in mind.
How to Read Research
A Short Guide for Non-Researchers
Start With Randomized Trials
A randomized controlled trial is the strongest single study design. Start there, then read systematic reviews that combine many trials.
Check the Journal & Authors
Prestigious, peer-reviewed journals and independent academic authors add credibility. Watch for conflicts of interest and funding disclosures.
Beware of Overreach
A study that shows improvement in one group does not prove a therapy works for everyone. Individual results always vary.
Ask Your Doctor
The best interpreter of any research is a professional who knows your health history, medications and goals.
Want the Full Library With Every Study?
The dedicated EECP research page organizes every study by topic, with links to primary sources from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Circulation, PubMed and CMS.
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Request a free consultation to talk with our team about your goals, get answers to your questions and find out which program may be the right fit for you. No pressure, no one-size-fits-all plans.
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A Convenient Draper Location
Thrive EECP
1111 East Draper Parkway
Draper, UT 84020
By appointment. Call ahead and we will find a time that works for you.
Easily reached from Sandy, South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, Cottonwood Heights, Midvale, Murray, Lehi, Alpine, Highland and American Fork, along with other South Salt Lake Valley and northern Utah County communities.
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