Is low load blood flow restriction training an effective intervention in improving clinical outcomes in adults with lower extremity pathology: a systematic review. (3rd September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mirando, Michael; Reusser, Abby; Sherer, Beth; Reinhart, Carlton; Murray, Leigh
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy reviews. Volume 24:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 185
• Page End: 194
• Publication Date: 2019-09-03
• Subjects: Blood flow restriction training -- function -- performance -- self-reported outcomes -- lower extremity pathology; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; 615.8205
• DOI: 10.1080/10833196.2019.1662994
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1083-3196

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a safe and effective method of muscle strengthening that involves placing a tourniquet on a limb to occlude venous blood. This reduces the amount of oxygen and produces an anaerobic environment in the muscle, thus producing hypertrophy in the muscle. Objective: The primary purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether low load BFR training impacts functional outcomes and is effective when rehabilitating patients with lower extremity pathology. Methods: Balance, gait speed/endurance, functional strength, and mobility/fall risk was assessed while self-reported outcome measures assessed general health, pain with function, and function. All studies compared low load BFR to high load resistance training. A total of 3264 articles were reviewed and five RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were included in this analysis. Results: Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 70 years old and sample sizes ranged from 17 to 69 participants. Results demonstrated significant changes from baseline in all outcomes with BFR. Conclusion: Low load BFR training can produce significant improvement in both functional and self-reported outcomes; however, it did not show that low load BFR was a better and more effective treatment when compared to high-load resistance training.