Effects of Low Intensity Blood Flow Restriction on Clinical Outcomes in Women With Knee Osteoarthritis (BFR)

Effects of Low Intensity Blood Flow Restriction on Clinical Outcomes in Women With Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective is to compare the effects of routine physical therapy with and without low intensity blood flow restriction on pain and quadriceps muscle strength in women with knee osteoarthritis. A single blinded randomized controlled trial conducted at Department of Physiotherapy, University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Defense Road, Lahore. Total 60 participants were randomly assigned in to two groups, with 30 in each group The intervention group received routine physiotherapy program combined with Low Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Technique (LI-BFR. While control group were treated with only routine physiotherapy. Dynamometer was used to assess the knee extensor strength while Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score was used to record any exacerbation in pain and effects of BFR on activities of daily living. Training load determined 20% of 1RM. Data analysis had done on SPSS version 23.

nonparametric test Friedman test was for comparison within the groups and Mann Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups. Randomization had done through the sealed envelope method. After allocation subjects had received their treatment protocals.

The interventional group received resisted knee extension 20% of 1RM with blood flow restriction along with routine physical therapy.

The Control group received routine physical therapy alone including knee isometrics and resisted knee extension

Patients of Interventional group were treated with routine physiotherapy program combined with LI-BFR consist of 10 minutes' session 3 per week for 12 weeks. In order to determine the training load 20% of 1RM, participants had performed knee extension in full range with a challenging weight. After each test, participants rated their perceived exertion level on (RPE) scale to determine the difficulty of the resistance. The derived 1RM was used to determine the 20% 1RM load used for low-load training. Blood flow restriction proximal to the working muscles achieved through using pressure cuffs. The cuff was applied to the proximal thigh. During week 1 the inflation pressure was 100mmHg. Final exercise pressure based the week of the training. Quadriceps size was measured by tape measures thigh

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed patients of grade II knee osteoarthritis Patient's age 45-65 Exclusion Criteria: Bilateral knee replacement Lower limb surgery in the last six months Diagnosis of inflammatory joint or muscle disease Chest pain during exercise or at rest; or need for supplemental oxygen Pregnancy Any systemic disease