Actively Recruiting
Is Low-load Resistance Training With Blood Flow Restriction Feasible During Rehabilitation of Military Personnel With Lower Limb Injuries? Phase One RCT.
Led by Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, UK · Updated on 2025-04-23
28
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
87 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
D
Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, UK
Lead Sponsor
N
Northumbria University
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Pain can be one of the primary limiting factors to progress following musculoskeletal injury and may be caused by trauma or degenerative changes. There are few exercise rehabilitation interventions able to relieve pain, thereby reducing the number of military personnel fit for operations. Low load blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise has been shown to elicit an analgesic response and promote beneficial physiological changes in a variety of clinical populations. This two phase study, aims to: * Determine the most effective and feasible BFR resistance exercise protocol for reducing pain in UK military patients. * Determine the efficacy of an optimal BFR exercise protocol for reducing pain and improving rehabilitation outcomes in UK military patients. * Identify key physiological mechanisms underpinning any beneficial effect of BFR exercise on pain. Consequently, results from this study will have direct clinical application and will aid best practice guidelines for the management of pain across Defence Rehabilitation by influencing the future rehabilitation paradigm. The investigators believe the results and impact will be far reaching, providing invaluable insight and knowledge to the clinical and scientific community to not only those embedded within Defence Rehabilitation, but also those working in civilian sector organisations and professional sport also.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Is Low-load Resistance Training With Blood Flow Restriction Feasible During Rehabilitation of Military Personnel With Lower Limb Injuries? Phase One RCT.
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Serving UK military personnel
- Aged 18 to 55 years
- Has unilateral lower limb injury with pain as the main factor limiting progress, diagnosed by relevant consultant and team
- Reduced occupational employability and function
- Scheduled to attend a 3-week residential rehabilitation course at DMRC Stanford Hall
You will not qualify if you...
- Any medical contraindication related to blood flow restriction
- Non-musculoskeletal or serious pathological condition such as inflammatory arthropathy, infection, or tumor
- Spinal or referred pain from a non-local source
- Pre-diagnosed physical impairments or co-morbidities including cardiovascular disease that prevent safe participation
- Corticosteroid or analgesic injection to the affected area within the past 7 days
- Currently pregnant or have not completed a return to work assessment after childbirth
- History of cardiovascular disease including hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, thrombosis/embolism, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction
- History of musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, osteonecrosis, severe osteoarthritis
- History of neurological disorders including Alzheimer's, ALS, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease, severe traumatic brain injury
- Varicose veins in the lower limb
- Acute viral or bacterial respiratory infection at screening
- Known or suspected lower limb chronic exertional compartment syndrome
- Surgical metal implants at cuff inflation site
- History of diabetes or active cancer
- History of unexplained fainting or dizzy spells during physical activity causing loss of balance
- Increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke or exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall
Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom, LE12 5QW
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
P
Peter Ladlow, PhD
CONTACT
L
Luke Hughes, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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