Cochrane has undertaken an extensive handsearching programme in order to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) in journals not indexed on databases such as MEDLINE and EMBASE. This is vital if Cochrane Reviews are to incorporate all the available evidence.

Handsearching involves searching journals page-by-page, including editorials and letters, in order to identify information relating to RCTs, CCTs and quasi-randomised controlled trials (qRCTs).

All identified RCTs and CCTs relevant to peripheral vascular diseases are incorporated into the Specialist Trials register belonging to Cochrane Vascular. They are also included in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library.