EFFECT OF TREADMILL TRAINING WITH RESTRICTED BLOOD FLOW FROM THE LEG MUSCLE ON MUSCLE SIZE AND MOTOR FUNCTION OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY OF STROKE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of blood flow restriction (BFR) in rehabilitation training in stroke (ST). Methods: Thirty-four patients with ST treated in our rehabilitation medicine department from March 2022 to July 2022 were selected for the study, and they were divided into experimental and control groups according to the random number table method (n=17). The patients in the experimental group were given BFR and the control group were given conventional treadmill training. The size of the patient’s rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFSTA), thickness (RFT) and the angle between the muscle bundle line and the deep myotendinous line (gastrocnemius pinna angle) were examined using ultrasound before and after the training was completed. The patients were also subjected to a 30-second sit-to-stand test, stretch test and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score of the lower limbs. Patients’ gait speed, frequency and length were compared using the BSMART-D 3D gait analysis system. The mobility of the hip and knee joints on the affected side was also measured. Results: RFT, RFSTA, and gastrocnemius pinna angle were unchanged in the control group before and after training (P>0.05), whereas they were all elevated in the experimental group (P<0.05). In addition, the results of the 30s sit-to-stand test, stretch test and FMA score after training were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). Finally, it was seen that the stride speed, frequency and length, and joint mobility increased in both groups after training, but it was more remarkable in the experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion: BFR can promote the functional Rehabilitation of ST patients and strengthen their motor ability to reduce the load and ensure safety, which has high clinical application value.