Blood flow restriction training added to conventional rehab improved knee function scores at 4 weeks (Lysholm score 83.91 vs 80.09, p=0.002) in older adults with tibial plateau fractures.
RCT (n=92)
Open-label (patients and intervention providers not blinded, outcome assessors blinded)
Computer-generated randomisation sequence (Excel RAND function) with sealed opaque envelopes
No
Does adding short-term blood flow restriction training to conventional rehabilitation improve knee function and quality of life in older adults with tibial plateau fractures?
Adding short-term blood flow restriction training to conventional rehabilitation improves knee function, preserves quadriceps strength and thickness, and enhances quality of life in older adults recovering from tibial plateau fractures.
Absolute Event Rate: 83.91% vs 80.09%
p-value: p=0.002
Tibial Plateau Fractures (TPF) are a common type of lower limb fracture, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a recently developed training method that achieves high-intensity effects through low-load training. However, the scope of its application in the rehabilitation of older adults patients suffering from TPF has not yet been thoroughly explored. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of 4 weeks of BFR training on knee function and quality of life in older adults patients with TPF. A total of 92 older adults patients with TPF were randomly divided into the experimental group (EXP, n = 46) and the control group (CON, n = 46). The CON group received the conventional postoperative rehabilitation and exercise measures, while the EXP group adopted BFR in addition to the measures of the CON group. The intervention period was 4 weeks. BFR was measured using limb occlusion pressure. In the first two weeks, the pressure was 40% of the limb occlusion pressure (LOP), and in the third to fourth weeks, it was 50%. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the differences in knee joint function, quadriceps muscle thickness, quadriceps muscle strength, and quality of life scores between the two groups before and after the intervention. Significant differences in knee joint function scores were observed after 2 weeks of intervention (EXP: 80.13 ± 5.34, CON: 76.72 ± 5.88, p = 0.004) and 4 weeks of intervention (EXP: 83.91 ± 5.04, CON: 80.09 ± 6.32, p = 0.002). After the fourth week, the proportion of reaching the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) was higher in the EXP group (EXP: 52.2%, CON: 39.1%). The thickness of the quadriceps muscle showed that after 4 weeks of intervention, the thickness of the EXP group was significantly greater (EXP: 17.63 ± 1.05 mm, CON: 16.24 ± 1.74 mm, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the strength of the quadriceps muscle showed that the reduction in strength in the EXP group was significantly less than that in the CON group (p < 0.001). The results of quality of life (SF-36 score) indicated that in the fourth week, the score of the EXP group was significantly higher (EXP: 79.63 ± 5.67, CON: 74.65 ± 7.16, p < 0.001). At the same time, the proportion of reaching MCID was higher in the EXP group (EXP: 89.1%, CON: 80.4%). Over four weeks, adding BFR to conventional rehabilitation can help older adults with TPF maintain quadriceps muscle thickness and strength. Moreover, this therapy may also improve knee joint function and provide strong support for their rehabilitation and quality of life. It is recommended that further studies be conducted to determine the reliability of long-term BFR therapy. Trial registration: The study is registered and the registration number is: ChiCTR2400077538.
Cao et al. (Fri,) conducted a rct in Older adults patients (age ≥60) with Schatzker type III-V tibial plateau fractures who underwent surgical treatment (n=92). Blood flow restriction (BFR) training plus conventional postoperative rehabilitation vs. Conventional postoperative rehabilitation and exercise measures alone was evaluated on Knee joint function measured by Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (0-100) (p=0.002). Blood flow restriction training added to conventional rehab improved knee function scores at 4 weeks (Lysholm score 83.91 vs 80.09, p=0.002) in older adults with tibial plateau fractures.