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Effectiveness of blood flow-restricted slow walking on mobility in severe multiple sclerosis: A pilot randomized trial.

Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports
October 1, 2020
Nicola Lamberti et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticlePragmatic Clinical TrialHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to compare the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of blood flow restriction-empowered low-intensity interval walking (BFR-W) versus conventional intensive overground walking (CON-W) in improving gait speed and functional capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities.

Results Summary

BFR-W was found to be safe, with lower perceived exertion and heart rate compared to CON-W. Both groups showed significant improvements in gait speed, with BFR-W demonstrating greater increases (13% vs. 5%) and more durable clinical benefits. Most secondary outcomes improved in both groups without significant between-group differences.

Population

Patients with progressive MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale 5.5–6.5), aged 58 ± 5 years, including 7 males.

Effective Dosage

12 rehabilitation sessions over 6 weeks (interval walking with BFR bands at the thighs for BFR-W; physiotherapist-assisted overground walking for CON-W).

Duration

6 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
blood flow restriction-empowered low-intensity interval walking exercise (BFR-W)
no change
safety/feasibility
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities
-
safely walked without limitations due to sleeve compression
#1
blood flow restriction-empowered low-intensity interval walking exercise (BFR-W)
decrease
perceived exertion (RPE)
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities
-
lower increase in perceived exertion (RPE)
#2
blood flow restriction-empowered low-intensity interval walking exercise (BFR-W)
decrease
heart rate
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities
-
lower increase in heart rate
#3
blood flow restriction-empowered low-intensity interval walking exercise (BFR-W)
increase
gait speed
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities
+13%
improved significantly
#4
conventional intensive overground walking (CON-W)
increase
gait speed
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities
+5%
improved significantly
#5
blood flow restriction-empowered low-intensity interval walking exercise (BFR-W)
increase
gait speed
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities
-
greater increases
#6
blood flow restriction-empowered low-intensity interval walking exercise (BFR-W)
increase
most of the secondary outcomes
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities
-
significantly improved
#7
conventional intensive overground walking (CON-W)
increase
most of the secondary outcomes
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities
-
significantly improved
#8
slow interval walking with moderate BFR to the lower limbs
increase
gait speed
patients with MS
-
superior to overground walking in improving gait speed
#9
slow interval walking with moderate BFR to the lower limbs
decrease
training load
patients with MS
-
lower training load
#10
slow interval walking with moderate BFR to the lower limbs
increase
clinical benefit
patients with MS
-
more durable clinical benefit
#11
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We tested the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of blood flow restriction-empowered low-intensity interval walking exercise (BFR-W) compared with conventional intensive overground walking (CON-W) at improving gait speed and functional capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and severe gait disabilities. METHODS: 24 patients (58 ± 5 years; 7 males) with progressive MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale 5.5 - 6.5) were randomized to receive 12 rehabilitation sessions over 6 weeks. The BFR-W group (n = 12) performed interval walking (speed paced by a metronome that increased weekly) with BFR bands at the thighs. The CON-W group (n = 12) received physiotherapist-assisted overground walking therapy. The primary outcome was gait speed, measured by the timed 25-foot walk test. Secondary outcomes included walking endurance, balance, strength, fatigue, and quality of life. The measurements were collected at baseline, at the end of training, and a 6-week follow-up. RESULTS: The two groups did not present any baseline difference. BFR-W group safely walked without limitations due to sleeve compression, with lower increase in perceived exertion (RPE) (P < .001) and heart rate (P = .031) compared with the CON-W. Gait speed improved significantly in both groups (BFR-W + 13%; CON-W + 5%) with greater increases in the BFR-W group at end of the training (P = .001) and at the follow-up (P = .041). Most of the secondary outcomes significantly improved in the two groups, without between-group differences. CONCLUSIONS: Slow interval walking with moderate BFR to the lower limbs was superior to overground walking in improving gait speed in patients with MS with a lower training load and a more durable clinical benefit.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
FatigueFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMobility LimitationMultiple Sclerosis, Chronic ProgressiveMuscle StrengthOutcome Assessment, Health CarePilot ProjectsPostural BalanceQuality of LifeRegional Blood FlowWalk TestWalkingWalking Speed
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety90
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations33
Citations/Year6.6
Relative Citation Ratio3.34
NIH Percentile87.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.52
Normalized Score0.86
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