Peng P, Lu Y, Wang Y, Sui X, Yang Z, Xu H, Zhang S. Effect of Low-Intensity Bloodflow Restriction Training on Nontraumatic Knee Joint Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Sports Health 2025;
17:226-235. [PMID:
38587041 PMCID:
PMC11569554 DOI:
10.1177/19417381241235147]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT
Nontraumatic knee conditions are common in clinical practice. Existing pharmaceutical and immobilization approaches provide limited pain relief and functional enhancement. Low-intensity bloodflow restriction training (LI-BFRT) is being investigated as a nonpharmacological alternative; however, its efficacy is uncertain.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of LI-BFRT for nontraumatic knee conditions and compare it with high-intensity resistance training (HI-RT) and low-intensity resistance training (LI-RT).
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, EBSCO, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and VIP databases were searched until May 30, 2023.
STUDY SELECTION
Original randomized controlled trials involving nontraumatic knee joint conditions with interventions consisting mainly of LI-BFRT, HI-RT, or LI-RT. The results assessed mainly pain and muscle performance.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 1.
DATA EXTRACTION
Sample characteristics, study design, country, disease, groups, evaluation time, duration, and outcomes were extracted.
RESULTS
A total of 13 randomized controlled trials were included in the systematic review. Compared with pretreatment, LI-BFRT significantly alleviated pain (weighted standardized mean difference [SMD], -1.33; 95% CI, -1.62 to -1.05), with better additional effects on hip muscle training (SMD, -3.14; 95% CI, -4.07 to -2.75). Compared with LI-RT, LI-BFRT significantly relieved pain in male patients (SMD, -1.47; 95% CI, -1.92 to -1.01). LI-BFRT significantly increased quadriceps cross-sectional area (SMD, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.27-0.78), knee extension strength (SMD, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.48-1.2), and leg press strength (SMD, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.34-0.94) compared with pretreatment. Its effects were superior to those of LI-RT and similar to those of HI-RT. However, sex differences in muscle strength improvement were observed.
CONCLUSION
In patients with nontraumatic knee joint conditions, LI-BFRT effectively alleviated pain, increased muscle cross-sectional area, and enhanced muscle strength. LI-BFRT showed pain relief comparable with that of LI-RT while surpassing LI-RT in muscle growth and strength improvement.
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