AI Article Synopsis

  • Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) shows potential in improving muscle strength and functional outcomes post-ACL surgery compared to general rehabilitation exercises (GRE), but its overall clinical advantages remain unclear.
  • A meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials with 376 participants revealed that BFRT resulted in significantly better muscle strength, Lysholm scores, and IKDC scores than GRE.
  • Despite the improvements in strength and function, BFRT did not show significant differences in other outcomes like joint mobility, pain relief, and patient-reported measures when compared to GRE.

Article Abstract

Purpose: Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) has been found to reduce quadriceps atrophy and weakness after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. However, the clinical benefit of BFRT as compared to general rehabilitation exercise (GRE) alone remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare the effects of BFRT and GRE on ACL reconstruction rehabilitation through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Elsevier and Biosis were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing BFRT and GRE following ACL reconstruction. Primary outcomes included muscle strength (extensor and flexor muscle general strength), Lysholm score, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, extensor muscle torque (peak torque and average torque) and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA). The secondary outcomes included a range of motion (ROM), pain, Y-balance and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS).

Results: Thirteen randomized controlled trials involving 376 participants were included. The change in muscle strength (Mean difference, MD: 12.96, 95% confidence interval, [95% CI]: 7.02-18.91, heterogeneity, I = 39%), Lysholm score (MD: 9.41, 95% CI: 8.93-9.88, I = 40%) and IKDC score (MD: 9.88, 95% CI: 0.57-19.19, I = 87%) of the BFRT group were superior to that of the GRE group at the time of last follow-up. However, no significant difference was found between the BFRT and the GRE groups regarding the change in muscle CSA, ROM, extensor muscle torque, pain score, Y-balance and PROMIS.

Conclusion: BFRT seems to perform better than GRE in terms of functional improvement and muscle strength following ACL reconstruction, but there seems to be no significant difference between them in terms of joint mobility, pain relief, stability improvement and patient's perception of their disease and treatment.

Level Of Evidence: Level II.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ksa.12527DOI Listing

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