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Blood Flow Restriction Exercise Study

Blood Flow Restriction Exercise for Older Adults Undergoing Knee Replacement Surgery

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02868021
Acronym
BFR
Enrollment
12
Registered
2016-08-16
Start date
2016-12-12
Completion date
2018-08-01
Last updated
2019-07-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis, Knee

Keywords

Elderly, Exercise

Brief summary

This pilot study will investigate the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise for up to 4-6 weeks prior to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery in older patients to measure clinical outcomes such as strength, lower extremity function, and pain.

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility and efficacy of a low-resistance exercise protocol with blood flow restriction (BFR) using a tourniquet in the preoperative period of patients awaiting TKA. BFR exercise is a new exercise method that has not been studied in the perioperative period. The investigators will compare our intervention to a no-exercise group up to 4 - 6 weeks prior to surgery to determine if this type of exercise is feasible in the preoperative period and if BFR exercise will improve functional, physiological, and molecular outcomes when compared to patients without exercise.

Interventions

Test the strength of subject's lower extremity muscles on the dynamometer system

The SPPB is a timed short distance walk, repeated chair stands, and balance test that measures lower extremity function.

BEHAVIORALSix-minute walk (SMW)

Subjects walk back and forth along a 100-ft hallway for six minutes after instructions to complete as many laps as possible.

BEHAVIORALNumerical pain scale

Measure pain using an 11-point numerical pain scale.

BEHAVIORALSelf-assessed function

Using the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument.

During the course of the surgery two small muscle biopsies from the quadriceps muscle of the operative leg will be collected.

DEVICEDetermination of 1 Repetition Maximum (1-RM)

Following the warm-up, subjects will attempt to complete one repetition of the leg press exercise at progressively greater resistance until a full repetition can no longer be performed. The weight of the last complete unassisted repetition will be recorded as the 1-RM.

Perform lower-extremity exercises (leg press, leg extension, leg curl, and calf extension) at an intensity of 30% of 1-RM with external compression applied to the proximal thigh of each leg.

BEHAVIORALBorg CR10 scale

Following each exercise session, participants will provide a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for the session according to the Borg CR10 scale.

Sponsors

University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
University of Florida
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
55 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* are scheduled for elective TKA for osteoarthritis * are scheduled for unilateral joint replacement surgery only * are able to give consent and follow instructions * are willing to complete up to 15 study visits

Exclusion criteria

* patients below the age of 55 years old * patients over the age of 80 years old * patients who live in a radius greater than 45 miles from the University of Florida (a feasible distance to allow for transportation to and from the clinical center for assessment visits) * patients with impaired cognitive function and mental disease, (e.g. diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease) * patients with paraplegia/extremity amputation * patients with end stage renal disease requiring dialysis * patients with uncontrolled diabetes and insulin-dependent diabetes * patients with uncontrolled cardiovascular disease e.g. (Classes of Heart Failure (CHF) New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 3 or higher, BP \> 180/110 mmHg) * patients with severe pulmonary disease requiring continuous oxygen therapy * patients with active neoplasm * patients with peripheral vascular disease or deep vein thrombosis (within the last 3 years) * patients with structured exercise/Physical Therapy(PT)/Occupational Therapy (OT)/fitness program enrollment within 12 weeks prior to surgery and/or more than 2 hours per month on gym/fitness room exercises * patients with BMI greater than 40 kg/m2 * patients with opioid use of more than 30 mg Morphine-equivalents per day * patients with chronic oral steroid use * patients with chronic anticoagulation (e.g. Plavix, Warfarin) * patients with planned postoperative admission to a skilled nursing/inpatient rehab facility * patients with ipsilateral joint disease involving hip, ankle or spine * neurologic or other etiology of quadriceps wasting * surgery within less than 4 weeks * patients with comorbidities that the PI judges as not suitable for the study * patients with a minimal mental status (MMSE) score below 24

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes between the two group assessed by muscle strengthChanges from baseline (pre-op) up to 2 weeks post-opTest the strength of subject's lower extremity muscles on the dynamometer system

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes between the two group assessed by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)Changes from baseline (pre-op) up to 2 weeks post-opSPPB is a validated test to measure lower extremity function a timed short distance walk, repeated chair stands, and balance test.
Changes between the two group assessed by Six-minute walk (SMW) testChanges from baseline (pre-op) up to 2 weeks post-opSPPB is a validated test to measure lower extremity function a timed short distance walk, repeated chair stands, and balance test.
Changes between the two group assessed by painChanges from baseline (pre-op) up to 2 weeks post-opMeasure pain using an 11-point numerical pain scale
Changes between the two group assessed by self-assessment outcomesChanges from baseline (pre-op) up to 2 weeks post-opAssessed using the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument
Changes between the two group assessed by biological targets on the muscle tissueUp to 4 hours (end of surgery)Analysis of the muscle tissue will focus on metabolism, inflammation, autophagy, apoptosis and other mechanisms of muscular atrophy.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026