Outcomes of blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
| Study | Year | Study design | Method (cuff and pressure) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohta et al.23 | 2003 | RCT |
BFR (n=22): 180 mm Hg, low load Control (n=22): BFR (−), low load |
- Operative/contralateral knee extensor power: BFR>control at CC60, CC180, IM60 - CSA ratio of operative/contralateral knee extensor: BFR>control |
| Lambert et al.22 | 2019 | RCT |
BFR (n=7): 80% LOP 20% 1 RM Control (n=7): BFR (−) 20% 1 RM |
- Thigh lean muscle mass decreased more in the control group at week 6 and remained decreased in only the control group at week12 |
| Zargi et al.25 | 2018 | RCT |
BFR (n=10): 150 mm Hg, 14 cm, 30% 1 RM Control (n=10): 20 mm Hg, 14 cm, 30% 1 RM |
- Muscle isometric endurance: Shortened significantly in control group at week 4 and returned to preoperative values at week 12, no change in BFR group at any time point - EMG amplitude increased significantly at week 4 after surgery in BFR group only - Muscle blood flow increased significantly in BFR group, and decreased in control group at week 4 after surgery |
| Hughes et al.5 | 2019 | RCT |
BFR (n=12): 80% LOP 11.5 cm, 30% 1 RM Control (n=12): BFR (−) 70% 1 RM |
- Isotonic strength: 10 RM strength significantly increased in both limbs with BFR-RT and HL-RT with no group differences - Isokinetic strength: Significantly greater attenuation of knee extensor peak torque loss at 150°/sec and 300°/sec and knee flexor torque loss at all speeds with BFR-RT - Muscle morphology: significant increases in muscle thickness with BFR-RT and HL-RT with no group differences - Significantly greater increases in self-reported function, Y-balance performance and reductions in knee joint pain and effusion with BFR-RT compared to HL-RT |
| Karampampa et al.26 | 2023 | RCT |
BFR (n=8): 60%−80% LOP 10−20% 1 RM Control (n=8): BFR (−) 10−20% 1 RM |
Significant improvements in thigh circumference of the BFR group compared to the control group Significantly greater attenuation of knee flexors strength deficit at 60°/sec in the BFR group No statistically significant differences found neither in the strength deficit of the extensor muscles |
| Jack RA 2nd et al.27 | 2023 | RCT |
BFR (n=17): 80% LOP 20% 1 RM Control (n=15): BFR (−) 20% 1 RM |
Only the control group experienced decreases in LE-LM at week 6 and week 12 LE bone mass was decreased only in the control group at week 6 and week 12 Return to sports time was reduced in the BFR group compared with the control group |
RCT: randomized control trial, SLR: straight leg raise, CC60: angular velocities of 60°/sec, CC180: angular velocities of 180°/sec, IM60: isometric contraction strength at 60° knee flexion, CSA: cross sectional area, LOP: limb occlusion pressure, RM: repeated maximum, RT: resistance training, HL: heavy load, LE: lower extremity, LM: lean mass.
