Effect of blood flow restriction as a stand-alone treatment on muscle strength, dynamic balance, and physical function in female patients with chronic ankle instability

Waleed S Mahmoud; Nadia L Radwan; Marwa M Ibrahim; Shahnaz Hasan; Aiyshah M Alamri; Abeer R Ibrahim

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000035765

Effect of blood flow restriction as a stand-alone treatment on muscle strength, dynamic balance, and physical function in female patients with chronic ankle instability

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Nov 3;102(44):e35765. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035765.

Authors

Waleed S Mahmoud^{1

2}, Nadia L Radwan^{1

3}, Marwa M Ibrahim^{1

4}, Shahnaz Hasan⁵, Aiyshah M Alamri¹, Abeer R Ibrahim^{2

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
³ Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
⁴ Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
⁵ Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah, KSA.
⁶ Department of Physiotherapy, Collage of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training has gained popularity as a novel training strategy in athletes and rehabilitation settings in recent years.

Objective: To investigate whether BFR as a stand-alone treatment would affect muscle strength, dynamic balance, and physical function in female patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Methods: Thirty-nine patients with CAI were randomly allocated into 1 of 3 groups: BFR as a stand-alone (BFR) group, BFR with rehabilitation (BFR+R) group, and rehabilitation (R) group. All groups trained 3 times per week for 4 weeks. One week before and after the intervention, strength of muscles around ankle joint, 3 dynamic balance indices: Overall Stability Index, Anterior-Posterior Stability Index, and Medial-Lateral Stability Index, and physical function were assessed via an isokinetic dynamometer, the Biodex Balance System, and the Foot and Ankle Disability Index, respectively.

Results: The strength of muscles around ankle and dynamic balance indices improved significantly in BFR + R and R groups (P < .006), but not in BFR group (P > .006). All dynamic balance indices showed improvement in BFR + R and R groups except the Medial-Lateral Stability Index (P > .006). Foot and Ankle Disability Index increased significantly in BFR + R and R groups (P < .006), however; no improvement occurred in BFR group (P > .006).

Conclusions: The BFR as a stand-alone treatment hasn't the ability to improve the strength of muscles around the ankle, dynamic balance, and physical function in females with CAI compared to the BFR + R or the R program. In addition, the strength of muscles around the ankle correlated significantly with both dynamic balance and physical function in BFR + R and R groups.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Ankle Joint
Ankle*
Chronic Disease
Female
Humans
Joint Instability*
Muscle Strength
Postural Balance / physiology