A Literature Review of Pain Control in Osteoarthritis Patients Using Blood Flow Restriction Training
Date of Presentation
5-2-2024 12:00 AM
College
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that mainly affects articular cartilage of joints. OA most commonly affects the knees and causes pain and reduces quality of life in older adults. Blood flow restriction (BFR) occludes arterial and venous flow during exercise using a blood pressure cuff placed on the proximal lower limb. This creates an intramuscular hypoxic environment which promotes muscle hypertrophy. High load training can cause pain and inflammation in knee OA patients due to increased stress. BFR can allow patients with knee OA to use lower loads to achieve beneficial effects of rehabilitation.
Methods: Data was ascertained from PubMed and Google Scholar databases including peer review studies pertaining to patients with knee OA undergoing BFR training for rehabilitation. Only studies written in English were included, studies without full text or were not peer reviewed were excluded.
Results: Studies reported low load and BFR therapy improve pain and physical function, as well as increased quadricep muscle strength, cross-sectional area, and volume.
Discussion: BFR training reduces pain in OA patients comparable to low intensity training. Additionally, BFR increases in physical function and muscle strength comparable to high intensity training.
Conclusions: These findings suggest BFR can be used as an alternate treatment modality to high intensity training to reduce pain and improve the quality of life in OA patients. Future research should aim to create an individualized approach to BFR training and evaluate the risk of BFR as few studies have investigated.
Keywords
Blood Flow Restriction Therapy, osteoarthritis, low intensity training, muscle strength, pain, quality of life, Pain Management, Treatment Outcome, Rehabilitation Outcome
Disciplines
Geriatrics | Investigative Techniques | Medicine and Health Sciences | Musculoskeletal Diseases | Musculoskeletal System | Orthopedics | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms | Physical Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy | Therapeutics
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Geriatrics Commons, Investigative Techniques Commons, Musculoskeletal Diseases Commons, Musculoskeletal System Commons, Orthopedics Commons, Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Commons, Physical Therapy Commons, Therapeutics Commons
A Literature Review of Pain Control in Osteoarthritis Patients Using Blood Flow Restriction Training
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that mainly affects articular cartilage of joints. OA most commonly affects the knees and causes pain and reduces quality of life in older adults. Blood flow restriction (BFR) occludes arterial and venous flow during exercise using a blood pressure cuff placed on the proximal lower limb. This creates an intramuscular hypoxic environment which promotes muscle hypertrophy. High load training can cause pain and inflammation in knee OA patients due to increased stress. BFR can allow patients with knee OA to use lower loads to achieve beneficial effects of rehabilitation.
Methods: Data was ascertained from PubMed and Google Scholar databases including peer review studies pertaining to patients with knee OA undergoing BFR training for rehabilitation. Only studies written in English were included, studies without full text or were not peer reviewed were excluded.
Results: Studies reported low load and BFR therapy improve pain and physical function, as well as increased quadricep muscle strength, cross-sectional area, and volume.
Discussion: BFR training reduces pain in OA patients comparable to low intensity training. Additionally, BFR increases in physical function and muscle strength comparable to high intensity training.
Conclusions: These findings suggest BFR can be used as an alternate treatment modality to high intensity training to reduce pain and improve the quality of life in OA patients. Future research should aim to create an individualized approach to BFR training and evaluate the risk of BFR as few studies have investigated.