Blood Flow Restriction Training for Muscle Weakness

Overseen By Meghann Sytsma

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Obesity, Hypertension, Cardiovascular, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

24 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new method to help people with disabilities exercise without excessive effort. It tests blood flow restriction training, which uses light weights and tight bands to simulate more intense workouts. The goal is to determine if this method can improve muscle strength and overall health. The trial seeks English-speaking adults who can perform simple arm exercises and may find regular workouts challenging due to their disability. As an unphased trial, participants can contribute to innovative research that could expand exercise options for those with disabilities.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that blood flow restriction training is safe for people with disabilities?

Research shows that blood flow restriction training (BFRT) can be safe with supervision. One study found a 12-week program using light resistance exercises with blood flow restriction to be safe and effective, as participants did not experience significant harmful effects.

Another study found that BFRT can increase strength, reduce tiredness, and improve physical activity levels, indicating the training works well without causing major issues.

Overall, evidence suggests that BFRT is generally well-tolerated when done correctly, especially at lower intensities. This could make it a good option for those who find regular exercise difficult. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about blood flow restriction training for muscle weakness because it offers a distinctive approach compared to traditional strength training methods. Unlike standard care, which often involves high-load resistance exercises, this technique uses low-load resistance with partial blood flow restriction, making it accessible for those who might struggle with heavier weights. This method can potentially stimulate muscle growth and strength gains more effectively and efficiently, even under lighter loads. This could be particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries or those with conditions that limit their ability to lift heavy weights.

What evidence suggests that blood flow restriction training is effective for muscle weakness?

This trial will compare two approaches: low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) and low-load resistance training without BFR. Research has shown that BFR training can significantly boost muscle strength. One study found that BFR training led to similar strength gains as lifting heavy weights, but with less effort. Another study demonstrated that BFR training reduced pain and improved movement while also increasing strength. Additional research has shown improvements in muscle strength, reduced tiredness, and higher activity levels. These findings suggest that BFR training effectively builds muscle strength, even with lighter exercises. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 18 or older with disabilities who can understand and perform upper extremity exercises. It's designed to help those who find standard exercise routines challenging.

Inclusion Criteria

I speak English.

I am either male or female.

I can do arm exercises.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo low load resistance training with or without blood flow restriction for muscle thickness and strength improvement

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Blood Flow Restriction Training

Trial Overview The study is testing blood flow restriction training, a method that might allow people with disabilities to benefit from exercise without the need for high intensity workouts. Participants will be compared to a group not using this technique.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Low load resistance training with blood flow restriction Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Low load resistance training routine at 30-50% of a person's 1-repetition maximum with arterial occlusion pressure at 80%

Group II: Low load resistance training Active Control 1 Intervention

Low load resistance training routine at 30-50% of a person's 1-repetition maximum

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical College of Wisconsin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

645

Recruited

1,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is effective for increasing muscle size and strength, making it a promising option for treating musculoskeletal issues and aiding in postoperative recovery.

The article highlights the need for more research on BFR's applications in rehabilitation, while also sharing the authors' practical experiences with its use after surgery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of Blood Flow Restriction Training for Postoperative Rehabilitation. Wilkinson, BG., Donnenwerth, JJ., Peterson, AR.[2019]

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is considered a safe and effective method for improving musculoskeletal training outcomes, supported by 25 years of research.

There is a need for standardized, evidence-based protocols for BFR training among health professionals in South Africa to ensure its proper and safe application during rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blood flow restriction training in South Africa - a panel discussion. Evans, RW., Ganda, J., van Schalkwyk, L., et al.[2023]

Blood flow-restricted resistance training (BFR-RT) is safe and effective for improving systolic blood pressure in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), showing a significant reduction of 10 mm Hg after 8 weeks of training.

BFR-RT combined with aerobic training did not negatively affect hemostatic markers, indicating it can be a beneficial addition to cardiac rehabilitation programs without adverse effects on blood clotting factors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hemodynamic and Hemostatic Response to Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise in Coronary Artery Disease: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Kambič, T., Novaković, M., Tomažin, K., et al.[2021]

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training can effectively increase muscle strength and hypertrophy, particularly when compared to low-intensity resistance training, showing a significant advantage in torque measurements.

However, high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) remains more effective than low-intensity BFR for maximizing strength and hypertrophy, indicating that while BFR is beneficial, it may be best suited for individuals who cannot perform high-load training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy for Muscular Strength, Hypertrophy, and Endurance in Healthy and Special Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Perera, E., Zhu, XM., Horner, NS., et al.[2022]

Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy can enhance skeletal muscle adaptations, making it a beneficial method for both civilian and military populations during rehabilitation.

BFR therapy allows patients to safely start strength training earlier in their recovery, potentially leading to quicker returns to activity and improved military readiness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy: From Development to Applications. Anderson, AB., Owens, JG., Patterson, SD., et al.[2020]

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is effective in increasing strength and muscle hypertrophy in both men and women, with 28 out of 30 studies supporting these benefits, although more research is needed for women.

BFR training can also help maintain muscle strength during immobilization and shows no increased risk of thrombosis, making it a potentially safe option for cardiac and pulmonary patients, though safety for older individuals needs further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training with blood flow restriction. Mechanisms, gain in strength and safety. Heitkamp, HC.[2017]

Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is generally safe for patients with musculoskeletal disorders, with a systematic review of 19 studies involving 322 participants showing that most did not report adverse events.

While some rare adverse events were noted, such as deep vein thrombosis and rhabdomyolysis, individuals undergoing BFRT did not experience more adverse events compared to those doing regular exercise, indicating its potential as a safe strengthening method.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Safety of Blood Flow Restriction Training as a Therapeutic Intervention for Patients With Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review. Minniti, MC., Statkevich, AP., Kelly, RL., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7727422/

EFFECT OF BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION TRAINING ON ... The results of the current study suggest that BFR training was able to produce similar strength gains, as measured by 1RM (in multiple movements), in the ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39845683/

The effect of blood flow restriction training on core muscle ... Conclusion: Four weeks of LL-BFRT significantly reduced pain and functional disability while inducing similar strength gains as HL-RT in male ...

3. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1603568/full

Effects of blood flow restriction combined with high-load ... Our results showed significant improvements in athletes' muscle strength (SMD = 0.65, I2 = 44%), power (SMD = 0.45, I2 = 0%), speed (SMD = 0.78, I2 = 60%), and ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1440244025004724

Blood flow restriction training improves strength, fatigue ... The results showed significant improvements in perceived disease impact, muscle strength, fatigue, physical activity levels, and manual ...

5. journals.plos.org journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0301164

Impact of exercise with blood flow restriction on muscle ... Likewise, both males and females improved muscle strength following 6-week BFRT, however males may improve strength to a greater extent than females.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8448465/

Blood Flow Restriction Training - PMC Evidence suggests that blood flow restriction training can improve function and pain outcomes beyond traditional resistance training in individuals with joint ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4232679/

Safety and possible effects of low-intensity resistance training ... We demonstrated that a 12-week supervised low-intensity resistance training program associated with partial blood flow restriction may be safe and effective in ...

8. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/tsm2/3663009

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Strength and ... This dose-response meta-analysis identifies significant improvements in strength and functionality after performing BFRT in individuals with knee OA or RA.