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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Nov 3;102(44):e35765.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035765.

Effect of blood flow restriction as a stand-alone treatment on muscle strength, dynamic balance, and physical function in female patients with chronic ankle instability

Waleed S Mahmoud  1   2 , Nadia L Radwan  1   3 , Marwa M Ibrahim  1   4 , Shahnaz Hasan  5 , Aiyshah M Alamri  1 , Abeer R Ibrahim  2   6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of blood flow restriction as a stand-alone treatment on muscle strength, dynamic balance, and physical function in female patients with chronic ankle instability

Waleed S Mahmoud et al. Medicine (Baltimore). .

Abstract

Background: Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training has gained popularity as a novel training strategy in athletes and rehabilitation settings in recent years.

Objective: To investigate whether BFR as a stand-alone treatment would affect muscle strength, dynamic balance, and physical function in female patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Methods: Thirty-nine patients with CAI were randomly allocated into 1 of 3 groups: BFR as a stand-alone (BFR) group, BFR with rehabilitation (BFR+R) group, and rehabilitation (R) group. All groups trained 3 times per week for 4 weeks. One week before and after the intervention, strength of muscles around ankle joint, 3 dynamic balance indices: Overall Stability Index, Anterior-Posterior Stability Index, and Medial-Lateral Stability Index, and physical function were assessed via an isokinetic dynamometer, the Biodex Balance System, and the Foot and Ankle Disability Index, respectively.

Results: The strength of muscles around ankle and dynamic balance indices improved significantly in BFR + R and R groups (P < .006), but not in BFR group (P > .006). All dynamic balance indices showed improvement in BFR + R and R groups except the Medial-Lateral Stability Index (P > .006). Foot and Ankle Disability Index increased significantly in BFR + R and R groups (P < .006), however; no improvement occurred in BFR group (P > .006).

Conclusions: The BFR as a stand-alone treatment hasn't the ability to improve the strength of muscles around the ankle, dynamic balance, and physical function in females with CAI compared to the BFR + R or the R program. In addition, the strength of muscles around the ankle correlated significantly with both dynamic balance and physical function in BFR + R and R groups.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flow chart of randomization and dropout of study participants.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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