Rehabilitation exercise with blood flow restriction after ACL reconstruction improved muscle activity and function more effectively than general rehabilitation exercise (p < 0.05).
RCT (n=24)
Does a rehabilitation exercise program with blood flow restriction improve muscle function and clinical scores in patients after ACL reconstruction?
Rehabilitation exercise with blood flow restriction after ACL reconstruction is more effective for improving muscle activity and function compared to general rehabilitation alone.
p-value: p=<0.05
The present study examined the effects of a rehabilitation exercise program with blood flow restriction (BFR) vs. a general rehabilitation exercise program in patients who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Among a total of 24 patients, the general rehabilitation exercise group (GRE, n = 12) and blood flow restriction group (BFR, n = 12) were assigned the same. The GRE group conducted a general rehabilitation exercise, and the BFR group conducted a BFR exercise along with the general rehabilitation exercise. All participants performed the rehabilitation exercise program session for 60 min three times a week for 12 weeks under supervision. All dependent parameters (Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, muscle activity, isokinetic muscular function, Y-balance test) were evaluated before and after the rehabilitation exercise program. GRE improved the Lysholm score, IKDC subjective score and Y balance test (posterior-medial, posterior-lateral) (p < 0.05). Moreover, BFR was effective in improving the Lysholm score and IKDC subjective score and muscle activity (e.g., vastus medialis oblique during isokinetic contraction and rectus femoris during isometric contraction), isokinetic function (e.g., peak torque and total work) and Y-balance test (e.g., anterior, posterior medial, posterior lateral) (p < 0.05). Our study confirmed that a rehabilitation exercise program with BFR after ACL reconstruction is a more effective rehabilitation modality for improving muscle activity during muscle contraction and muscle function compared with GRE. Therefore, it is recommended to use BFR as an effective rehabilitation program for rapid recovery after ACL reconstruction.
Jung et al. (Fri,) conducted a rct in Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (n=24). Rehabilitation exercise program with blood flow restriction (BFR) vs. General rehabilitation exercise program (GRE) was evaluated on Lysholm score, IKDC subjective score, muscle activity, isokinetic muscular function, and Y-balance test (p=<0.05). Rehabilitation exercise with blood flow restriction after ACL reconstruction improved muscle activity and function more effectively than general rehabilitation exercise (p < 0.05).