Key result
Blood flow restriction therapy safely improves sensorimotor function and mobility in patients with neurological disorders.
Why the study?
While blood flow restriction is known to benefit healthy individuals, older adults, and musculoskeletal patients, its effectiveness in patients with neurological disorders needed evaluation.
Does blood flow restriction improve physical function and muscle characteristics in patients with neurological disorders?
Systematic Review (n=129)
Does blood flow restriction improve physical function and muscle characteristics in patients with neurological disorders?
Blood flow restriction is a promising, safe adjunctive therapy for improving physical function and muscle thickness in neurological patients, though standardized protocols are needed.
Supports BFR as safe adjunct for functional recovery in neurological disorders; extends evidence from musculoskeletal populations but requires larger standardized trials.
There is scientific evidence that Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) is beneficial in healthy people, the elderly and patients with musculoskeletal disorders. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of BFR in patients with neurological disorders. The literature search was conducted up until July 2022 in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), LILACS, Scopus, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Literature Complete (CINAHL), the Cochrane Library and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). The PEDro scale was used to analyze the methodological quality of the studies, and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool was employed to evaluate the risk of bias. A total of seven articles were included. BFR seems to be beneficial in neurological disorders. Improvements have been found in sensorimotor function, frequency and step length symmetry, perceived exertion, heart rate and gait speed, walking endurance, fatigue, quality of life, muscles thickness, gluteus density and muscle edema. No improvements were found in lower limb strength or balance. However, results must be taken with caution due to the small number of articles and to the large heterogeneity. More clinical trials are needed. These studies should homogenize the protocols used in larger samples, as well as improve their methodological quality.
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Viñolo-Gil et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review in Neurological disorders (cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury) (n=129). Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) vs. No treatment, placebo, or other intervention was evaluated on Various clinical variables including muscle thickness, gait speed, and sensorimotor function. Blood flow restriction therapy improved sensorimotor function, gait speed, walking endurance, fatigue, quality of life, and muscle thickness in patients with neurological disorders, with no adverse effects.
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