Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia | [b] Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt | [c] Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiopulmonary, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt | [d] Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt | [e] Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Waleed S. Mahmoud, Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +966 115886327; E-mail: waleeds306@yahoo.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common chronic diseases impacting millions of elderly people. OBJECTIVES: The study compared the effects of two intensities of partial blood flow restriction (BFR) with low-intensity resistance training on quadriceps strength and cross-sectional area (CSA), and pain in people with knee osteoarthritis (PwKOA). METHODS: Thirty-five PwKOA, aged 50–65, participated. Quadriceps CSA was measured by ultrasonography, quadriceps strength – by isokinetic dynamometry and pain by VAS. These outcome variables were obtained at the beginning of the study and re-evaluated eight weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: An interaction effect was present for quadriceps CSA (P= 0.042) and quadriceps strength (P= 0.006), showing that using 70% of total occlusion pressure with 30% 1RM had a more significant effect. Knee pain improved significantly through the main effect of BFR (P< 0.001), and low-intensity resistance training (P= 0.011). Pain improved more at 70% of total occlusion pressure, with 30% of 1RM (2.5 ± 1.06) than 50% total occlusion pressure with 10% of 1RM (5.77 ± 1.46). CONCLUSION: A combination of 70% of total occlusion pressure with 30% 1RM could be beneficial in PwKOA in improving pain, and increasing the quadriceps strength. The changes in the quadriceps strength could be a predictor for knee pain.
