Therapeutics
Ronghua Hong, PhD
Attending physician
Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center),Tongji University
Shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)
Fenghao Ma, MS
Supervising therapist
Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)
Shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)
Lingjing Jin, PhD
president
Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)
shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)
Stroke often leads to lower limb motor deficits and balance impairments, imposing significant socioeconomic burdens. This study examined the efficacy of blood flow restriction (BFR) training, as BFR-walking or with low-load resistance, on motor function and balance post-stroke.
Design:
In this single-blind, single-center, randomized clinical trial, participants were allocated 1:1:1 to undergo a 3-week intervention (five sessions/week) consisting of either walking without BFR (Control), BFR-walking (120 mmHg cuff pressure), or LL-BFR (120 mmHg low-load resistance training at 20% 1RM). The primary outcome was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), with secondary outcomes including the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (30SSTS), and Limits of Stability. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention (3 weeks).
Results:
Ninety-six stroke patients had a mean (SD) age of 55.80 (13.17) years, and 27% were female. No significant baseline differences existed between groups. For the FMA-LE, both the BFR-Walking group (estimated mean difference: 1.66; 95% CI, 0.27 to 3.04; P = 0.01) and the LL-BFR group (estimated mean difference: 2.25; 95% CI, 0.86 to 3.64; P < 0.001) demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group post-intervention. For secondary outcomes, both the BFR-Walking group and LL-BFR groups showed significant improvements in the 30sSTS and BBS, and significant reductions in the TUG compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Five minor adverse events occurred among 96 participants: two episodes of transient dizziness, one mild limb weakness, and two unrelated upper respiratory infections.
Conclusion:
Conclusively, 3-week BFR training, using either 120-mmHg BFR-walking or 120-mmHg LL-BFR (20% 1RM) effectively enhances lower limb motor function and balance in stroke survivors.
