The addition of blood flow restriction to resistance exercise in individuals with knee pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The addition of blood flow restriction to resistance exercise in individuals with knee pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Cuyul Vásquez, Iván
Leiva Sepúlveda, Alejandro
Catalán Medalla, Oscar
Araya Quintanilla, Felipe
Gutiérrez Espinoza, Héctor
Leiva Sepúlveda, Alejandro
Catalán Medalla, Oscar
Araya Quintanilla, Felipe
Gutiérrez Espinoza, Héctor
Authors
Date
Datos de publicación:
10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.03.001
Keywords
Dolor anterior de rodilla - Osteoartritis - Rodilla - Restricción del flujo sanguíneo - Revisión sistemática - Systematic review - Osteoarthritis - Anterior knee pain - Blood flow restriction - Knee
Collections
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Blood flow restriction (BFR) is an effective clinical intervention used to increase
strength in healthy individuals. However, its effects on pain and function in individuals with
knee pain are unknown.
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of adding BFR to resistance exercise for pain relief
and improvement of function in patients with knee pain.
Methods: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Medline, Central,
Embase, PEDro, Lilacs, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched
from inception to May 2019. Randomized clinical trials that compared resistance exercise with
or without BFR to treat knee pain and function in individuals older than 18 years of age with
knee pain were included.
Results: Eight randomized clinical trials met the eligibility criteria and for the quantitative
synthesis, five studies were included. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) estimate
showed that resistance exercises with BFR was not more effective than resistance exercises for
reducing pain (SMD: −0.37 cm, 95% CI = −0.93, 0.19) and improving knee function (SMD = −0.23
points, 95% CI = −0.71, 0.26) in patients with knee pain.
Conclusion: In the short term, there is low quality of evidence that resistance exercise with BFR
does not provide significant differences in pain relief and knee function compared to resistance
exercises in patients with knee pain.