Effect of Partial Blood Flow Restriction Training in Improving Physical Functioning among Middle-Aged Subjects with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training combines low-intensity exercise with blood flow occlusion toproduce outcomes comparable to those of high-intensity training. BFR is as effective as high-intensity protocolsknown to enhance knee extensor muscle strength in subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, the aimof this study is to find out the effect of Partial Blood Flow Restriction Training on pain and physical functioningamong knee OA subjects.Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of Partial Blood Flow Restriction Training in Improving Physical FunctioningAmong Middle-Aged Subjects with Knee Osteoarthritis.Materials and Methods: This is the pilot study where twenty subjects with knee OA were divided randomly intotwo equal groups. Group “A” received BFR training combined with conventional exercise two times/week andGroup “B” received conventional exercise two times/week. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Western Ontarioand McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) were used to evaluate subjects at two intervals (Pre-Testand Post-Test).Results: The difference between the Group A and Groups B was statistically significant (p<=0.001). Henceconventional exercise combined with blood flow restriction training shows significant improvement thanconventional exercise among OA knee subjects.Conclusion: This pilot study concluded that the conventional exercise combined with blood flow restrictiontraining was effective in subjects with OA knee.