Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition Improvement Research Group, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Physical Activity, Wellness and Public Health Research Group, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
Vasc Med. 2023 Dec;28(6):554-563. doi: 10.1177/1358863X231200250. Epub 2023 Oct 11.
Claudication is a common and debilitating symptom of peripheral artery disease, resulting in poor exercise performance and quality of life (QoL). Supervised exercise programs are an effective rehabilitation for patients with claudication, but they are poorly adhered to, in part due to the high pain and effort associated with walking, aerobic, and resistance exercise. Low-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) represents an alternative exercise method for individuals who are intolerant to high-intensity protocols. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a supervised BFR program in patients with claudication.
Thirty patients with stable claudication completed an 8-week supervised exercise program and were randomized to either BFR ( = 15) or a control of matched exercise without BFR (control; = 15). Feasibility, safety, and efficacy were assessed.
All success criteria of the feasibility trial were met. Exercise adherence was high (BFR = 78.3%, control = 83.8%), loss to follow up was 10%, and there were no adverse events. Clinical improvement in walking was achieved in 86% of patients in the BFR group but in only 46% of patients in the control group. Time to claudication pain during walking increased by 35% for BFR but was unchanged for the control. QoL for the BFR group showed improved mobility, ability to do usual activities, pain, depression, and overall health at follow up.
A supervised blood flow restriction program is feasible in patients with claudication and has the potential to increase exercise performance, reduce pain, and improve QoL. ().
跛行是外周动脉疾病的一种常见且使人虚弱的症状，导致运动表现和生活质量（QoL）下降。有监督的运动方案是跛行患者的有效康复方法，但患者的依从性很差，部分原因是与步行、有氧运动和抗阻运动相关的高疼痛和高用力。低强度抗阻运动结合血流限制（BFR）代表了一种替代方法，适用于无法耐受高强度方案的个体。本研究旨在评估跛行患者中监督 BFR 方案的可行性。
30 名稳定跛行的患者完成了 8 周的监督运动方案，并随机分为 BFR 组（n=15）或匹配无 BFR 的对照组（n=15）。评估了可行性、安全性和疗效。
所有可行性试验的成功标准均得到满足。运动依从性高（BFR 组=78.3%，对照组=83.8%），失访率为 10%，无不良事件。BFR 组 86%的患者在步行时临床改善，而对照组只有 46%的患者。BFR 组的跛行疼痛时间在步行时增加了 35%，而对照组则保持不变。BFR 组的 QoL 在随访时显示出移动能力、日常活动能力、疼痛、抑郁和整体健康状况的改善。
监督血流限制方案在跛行患者中是可行的，有潜力提高运动表现、减轻疼痛和改善 QoL。
