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. 2020 Oct;30(10):1999-2009.
doi: 10.1111/sms.13764. Epub 2020 Jul 25.

Effectiveness of blood flow-restricted slow walking on mobility in severe multiple sclerosis: A pilot randomized trial

Nicola Lamberti  1 , Sofia Straudi  2 , Maria Donadi  2 , Hirofumi Tanaka  3 , Nino Basaglia  2 , Fabio Manfredini  1   2
Affiliations

Effectiveness of blood flow-restricted slow walking on mobility in severe multiple sclerosis: A pilot randomized trial

Nicola Lamberti et al. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: We tested the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of blood flow restriction-empowered low-intensity interval walking exercise (BFR-W) compared with conventional intensive overground walking (CON-W) at improving gait speed and functional capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities.

Methods: 24 patients (58 ± 5 years; 7 males) with progressive MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale 5.5 - 6.5) were randomized to receive 12 rehabilitation sessions over 6 weeks. The BFR-W group (n = 12) performed interval walking (speed paced by a metronome that increased weekly) with BFR bands at the thighs. The CON-W group (n = 12) received physiotherapist-assisted overground walking therapy. The primary outcome was gait speed, measured by the timed 25-foot walk test. Secondary outcomes included walking endurance, balance, strength, fatigue, and quality of life. The measurements were collected at baseline, at the end of training, and a 6-week follow-up.

Results: The two groups did not present any baseline difference. BFR-W group safely walked without limitations due to sleeve compression, with lower increase in perceived exertion (RPE) (P < .001) and heart rate (P = .031) compared with the CON-W. Gait speed improved significantly in both groups (BFR-W + 13%; CON-W + 5%) with greater increases in the BFR-W group at end of the training (P = .001) and at the follow-up (P = .041). Most of the secondary outcomes significantly improved in the two groups, without between-group differences.

Conclusions: Slow interval walking with moderate BFR to the lower limbs was superior to overground walking in improving gait speed in patients with MS with a lower training load and a more durable clinical benefit.

Keywords: exercise testing; exercise therapy; mobility; rehabilitation.

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References

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