The Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Upper Extremity Muscle Strength: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective This systematic review aims to investigate the effect of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) on upper extremity muscle strength in pathological conditions of the upper extremity musculoskeletal system or in healthy individuals.

Materials and Methods This study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guideline statement. The randomized controlled studies which published from January 2000 to May 2022 were searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. Inclusion criteria were healthy clinical population or musculoskeletal pathology related to the upper extremity, participants aged 18 and above, application of blood flow restriction to the arm, a randomized controlled study design, and publication in English. Additionally, the presentation of upper extremity muscle strength as an outcome measurement was required. The quality of the studies was evaluated using The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Articles that were non-randomized, inaccessible in full text, and scored 4 or below on the PEDro scale were excluded.

Results Five studies were included with 219 participants. The included studies had PEDro scores ranging from 5 to 8, with an average score of 6.4. This review demonstrated a positive or neutral effect of BFRT on grip strength and shoulder strength.

Conclusion Although some studies have reported positive effects of BFRT on upper extremity muscle strength, there is no conclusive evidence regarding the protocol to be used for increasing upper extremity muscle strength.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel Diese systematische Übersichtsarbeit zielt darauf ab, die Auswirkungen des Blutflussbeschränkungstrainings (BFRT) auf die Muskelkraft der oberen Extremitäten in pathologischen Zuständen des muskuloskelettalen Systems der oberen Extremität oder bei gesunden Personen zu untersuchen.

Material und Methoden Diese Studie wurde gemäß der PRISMA-Leitlinie durchgeführt. Es wurden randomisierte kontrollierte Studien gesucht, die von Januar 2000 bis Mai 2022 in den Datenbanken PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus und der Cochrane Library veröffentlicht wurden. Die Einschlusskriterien umfassten eine gesunde klinische Population oder muskuloskeletale Pathologien im Zusammenhang mit der oberen Extremität, Teilnehmer im Alter von 18 Jahren und älter, Anwendung von Blutflussbeschränkung am Arm, ein randomisiertes kontrolliertes Studiendesign und die Veröffentlichung in englischer Sprache. Darüber hinaus musste die Messung der Muskelkraft der oberen Extremität als Ergebnismessung präsentiert werden. Die Qualität der Studien wurde mit der Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Skala bewertet. Artikel, die nicht randomisiert waren, nicht im Volltext zugänglich waren und einen PEDro-Score von 4 oder weniger hatten, wurden ausgeschlossen.

Ergebnisse Fünf Studien mit 219 Teilnehmern wurden eingeschlossen. Die eingeschlossenen Studien hatten PEDro-Werte zwischen 5 und 8, mit einem Durchschnittswert von 6,4. Diese Übersichtsarbeit zeigte eine positive oder neutrale Wirkung von BFRT auf die Griffkraft und die Schulterkraft.

Fazit Obwohl einige Studien positive Effekte von BFRT auf die Muskelkraft der oberen Extremitäten berichtet haben, gibt es keine abschließenden Beweise bezüglich des Protokolls, das zur Steigerung der Muskelkraft der oberen Extremitäten verwendet werden sollte.

Keywords

blood flow restriction - occlusion training - upper extremity - blood flow restriction training

Schlüsselwörter

Training zur Einschränkung des Blutflusses - Einschränkung des Blutflusses - Okklusionstraining - obere Extremität

Publication History

Received: 11 September 2023

Accepted after revision: 15 March 2024

Article published online:
18 April 2024

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