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

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

A large portion of the American population live with disabilities. People with disabilities can find it difficult to perform standard exercise routines. Regular exercise is necessary to be healthy, especially as people age. Lack of exercise can lead to secondary health concerns, like loss of muscle mass, diabetes, heart attack or stroke, to name a few. For exercise to be most beneficial, a certain degree of intensity must be achieved. Low load blood flow restriction training may be able to mimic the intensity of beneficial exercise without actually exercising hard. It may be a good option for people with disabilities who find it difficult to exercise.

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Blood Flow Restriction Training for muscle weakness?

Research shows that Blood Flow Restriction Training can significantly improve muscle strength and performance, especially in older adults and various populations. Studies found that it enhances lower limb strength and muscle growth, even with low-intensity exercises, making it a promising option for those with muscle weakness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Blood Flow Restriction Training generally safe for humans?

Blood Flow Restriction Training has been shown to be relatively safe in healthy adults and can be used to improve muscle strength with low-intensity exercise. Studies have not found an increased risk of blood clots, but more research is needed to confirm safety in people with certain health conditions, like cardiovascular disease. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does blood flow restriction training differ from other treatments for muscle weakness?

Blood flow restriction training is unique because it involves applying pressure to restrict blood flow to muscles during low-intensity exercise, which can enhance muscle strength and growth without the need for heavy weights. This makes it particularly useful for individuals who may not tolerate high-intensity workouts, such as older adults or those recovering from surgery. ^{3 4 5 11 12}

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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) 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 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 (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 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]

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]

References

1. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of blood flow occlusion during acute low-intensity isometric elbow flexion exercise. [2020]

2. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of exercise intensity and occlusion pressure after 12 weeks of resistance training with blood-flow restriction. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dose-response relationship of blood flow restriction training on isometric muscle strength, maximum strength and lower limb extensor strength: A meta-analysis. [2023]

5. United States 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. [2022]

6. South Africa pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blood flow restriction training in South Africa - a panel discussion. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hemodynamic and Hemostatic Response to Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise in Coronary Artery Disease: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. [2021]

8. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy: From Development to Applications. [2020]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Safety of Blood Flow Restriction Training as a Therapeutic Intervention for Patients With Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review. [2020]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of Blood Flow Restriction Training for Postoperative Rehabilitation. [2019]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blood Flow-Restricted Training for Lower Extremity Muscle Weakness due to Knee Pathology: A Systematic Review. [2020]