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. 2025 Jul;15(7):e70683.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.70683.

Effects of Restricted Blood Flow Interval Training on Lower Extremity Muscles and Motor Function in Stroke Patients

Yongxiang Li  1 , Yali Liu  2 , Jiangrong Xiong  3   4
Affiliations

Effects of Restricted Blood Flow Interval Training on Lower Extremity Muscles and Motor Function in Stroke Patients

Yongxiang Li et al. Brain Behav. 2025 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: To examine how limitations in blood circulation impact the training of stroke individuals.

Methods: Between March 2022 and March 2023, a total of 34 individuals receiving treatment at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of the School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, specifically within the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, were chosen as participants. They were then assigned to experimental groups using a random number approach, with 17 individuals in each group, while also including a control group. The test group received BFR combined with cycle ergometers, while the control group performed a cycle ergometers regularly. Ultrasonography was employed to assess the size and thickness (RFT) of the rectus femoris (RFSTA) in patients both prior to and following training, as well as to evaluate the angle of the gastrocnemius pinna. Additionally, each patient completed a 30-s sit-to-stand test, received results from a stretch test, and underwent the Fugl-Meyer assessment for the lower extremities.

Results: The muscles of RFT, RFTSA, and gastrocnemius pinna angle did not change significantly before and after in the control group. However, these values increased markedly in the experimental group. In addition, the FMA value recorded in the test group notably surpassed that of the control group. After all, walking speed, frequency, length and overall mobility will increase after training, but you will find it more important.

Conclusion: BFR can promote rehabilitation functional, relieve stress, ensure safety, improve training effects and have high value clinical uses.

Keywords: blood flow restriction; gastrocnemius pinna angle; rectus femoris cross‐sectional area; rectus femoris muscle thickness; stroke.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
RFT versus RFSTA. (a) Comparison of left side RFT before and after training in both groups. (b) Comparison of right side RFT before and after training in both groups. (c) Comparison of left side RFSTA before and after training in both groups. (d) Comparison of right side RFSTA before and after training in both groups. Note: compared with before training #(p < 0.05), compared with the control group &(p < 0.05).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Comparison of gastrocnemius pinna angles. (a) Comparison of left gastrocnemius pinna angle before and after training in both groups. (b) Comparison of right gastrocnemius pinna angle before and after training in both groups. Note: compared with before training #(p < 0.05), compared with the control group &(p < 0.05).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Comparison of lower limb muscle strength and function. (a) Comparison of results of the 30s sit‐to‐stand test before and after training. (b) Comparison of stretch test results before and after training. (c) Comparison of FMA scores before and after training. Note: compared with before training #(p < 0.05), compared with the control group &(p < 0.05)).
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