Blood flow restricted exercise in people with PAD.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of low-intensity lower-body resistance exercise with blood flow restriction on functional performance in people with peripheral arterial disease: A feasibility study
IRAS ID
260419
Contact name
Thomas Parkington
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Hallam University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 30 days
Research summary
A consequence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is reduced functional performance due to a myopathy in the lower extremities. Low-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) is now popular in clinical practice for musculoskeletal rehabilitation as substantial research suggests it can induce muscle hypertrophy, increase muscle strength, improve muscular endurance and improve arterial function in young and older adults. It is plausible following an intervention of low-intensity resistance exercise with BFR that improved muscle function will transfer to increased functional performance in people with PAD. However, the research team is concerned there may be a perception that the intervention may be harmful or exacerbate PAD symptoms which could potentially make participant recruitment and retention challenging. Therefore, before undertaking a large scale and adequately powered randomised controlled trial to assess the effect of low-intensity lower-body resistance exercise with BFR on functional performance in people with PAD, the proposed study will assess feasibility outcomes and tolerability of exercise from a 12-week intervention.\n\nThe study will adopt a randomised control trial research design; forty-five volunteers with PAD will be randomly allocated into either resistance exercise with BFR group, resistance exercise without BFR group or a non-exercising control group. The outcomes of feasibility are rates of screening, eligibility, recruitment, retention, attendance and adverse events. The outcomes of tolerability of exercise are perceptual responses of exertion, discomfort and muscle soreness. The secondary aim of the study is to explore the effects and trends of the intervention on functional performance in people with PAD. Functional performance outcomes are maximal isometric concentric knee extensor strength, 6-minute walk test distance, short physical performance battery (SPPB) score and walking impairment questionnaire score.\n
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/YH/0039
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion