A NEW study suggests that adding blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy to traditional exercise programmes can significantly improve outcomes for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Conducted at Ghent University Hospital, this randomised controlled trial found that patients undergoing BFR-enhanced therapy experienced greater pain relief, improved strength, and better quality of life than those following conventional exercise alone.
The trial included 120 KOA patients who were randomly assigned to either a traditional exercise programme or a BFR-enhanced exercise regimen over 24 sessions across 12 weeks. Assessments were carried out at baseline, mid-intervention (6 weeks), end of treatment (12 weeks), and three months post-treatment to evaluate the effects on pain, knee function, and overall quality of life. The primary outcome was measured using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), with additional tests for knee strength, pain perception, and functional mobility.
Results showed that patients in the BFR group achieved significantly greater improvements by the 12-week mark, especially in the KOOS pain subscale and quadriceps strength. These benefits persisted at the three-month follow-up, with BFR patients reporting sustained gains in pain relief, symptoms, and quality of life. Notably, the BFR group demonstrated larger effect sizes in pain reduction, symptom improvement, and quality of life than the control group, without increased dropout rates.
The study highlights that BFR can enhance the effectiveness of traditional exercise by stimulating muscle strength and function with lower mechanical loads, making it an appealing option for KOA patients seeking effective pain management and improved mobility. With these findings, BFR could represent a valuable addition to KOA rehabilitation, providing long-lasting improvements and supporting better daily function for those affected by this disabling condition.
Reference
Jacobs E et al. Vascular occlusion for optimising the functional improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2024;DOI:10.1136/ard-2024-226579.
