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Blood Flow Restriction Training in Tennis Elbow
Sponsor: Necmettin Erbakan University
Summary
Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common musculoskeletal disorder caused by repetitive overuse of the forearm extensor muscles. It is characterized by pain over the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, which may radiate to the surrounding tissues at the origin of the wrist extensor tendons. LE is one of the most frequent causes of lateral elbow pain, with a reported prevalence of approximately 1-3% in the general population. Among conservative interventions, exercise-based rehabilitation is considered a cornerstone of management. In particular, exercise programs incorporating eccentric contractions have demonstrated superior clinical outcomes compared with several other exercise approaches and are therefore widely recommended. Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) has recently emerged as an alternative rehabilitation strategy that promotes neuromuscular adaptations while using low mechanical loads. BFRT involves the application of a pneumatic cuff, tourniquet, or elastic band around the proximal portion of an extremity to partially restrict arterial inflow while substantially reducing venous return, thereby creating localized metabolic and hemodynamic stress during exercise. The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effects of BFRT on pain, functional status, pain-free grip strength, health-related quality of life, and ultrasonographic characteristics of the common extensor tendon in patients with lateral epicondylitis.
Official title: Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Pain, Function, Disability, Quality of Life, and Common Extensor Tendon Thickness and Echogenicity in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 75 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2025-02-28
Completion Date
2026-02-28
Last Updated
2026-07-17
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Blood Flow Restriction Training
Both groups participated in a supervised exercise program consisting of 12 sessions over four weeks (three sessions per week), with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. Each treatment session began with 3-5 minutes of transverse friction massage applied to the painful region, followed by gentle circular soft-tissue mobilization in a proximal-to-distal direction. Resistance exercises were then performed using dumbbells and consisted of concentric and eccentric wrist extension and forearm supination exercises. The order of exercises was standardized for all participants throughout the intervention period. Participants allocated to the BFRT group performed the exercise program under blood flow restriction using a pneumatic cuff positioned around the proximal portion of the affected upper arm. Before the intervention, arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was individually determined for each participant. The cuff pressure used during training was set at 50% of the individual AOP. Tot
Exercise without blood flow restriction
Participants in the control group performed the identical exercise protocol without blood flow restriction.
Locations (1)
Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Konya, Turkey (Türkiye)