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Context <p>Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) is increasingly used in musculoskeletal rehabilitation because low-load exercise with blood flow restriction can elicit strength and hypertrophy adaptations and may be suitable for individuals who cannot tolerate high-load training. There is also growing interest in its potential effects on pain, function, and quality of life across rehabilitation outcomes.</p> Aim <p>This scoping review aimed to map and synthesise evidence from randomised controlled trials on BFRT in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and to classify reported outcomes according to International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains from a physiotherapy and rehabilitation perspective.</p> Method <p>This scoping review searched the literature between November 2024 and January 2025 via Marmara University Library VETIS remote access using PubMed, OVID, Web of Science, and Scopus. The following search strategy was applied: [("Blood Flow Restriction" OR "Occlusion Training") AND ("Rehabilitation" OR "Physiotherapy" OR "Physical Therapy")];. The review was not registered in PROSPERO due to the scoping review design. Eligible studies were English-language, peer-reviewed randomised controlled trials published within the last 10&#xa0;years. Non-randomised designs and acute-only studies were excluded. Screening was performed independently by four reviewers, with disagreements resolved by a fifth reviewer. Outcomes were synthesised under International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health domains, and methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale.</p> Conclusion <p>The search yielded 868 records, and 21 randomised controlled trials were included after duplicate removal and screening. Interventions and protocols varied substantially across studies in terms of cuff parameters, training duration, and frequency. The 21 analyzed moderate to high quality RCTs demonstrated that low load BFRT (20 to 35% 1RM, 60 to 80% occlusion, 4 to 12&#xa0;weeks) yielded significant improvements in body functions across 11 different musculoskeletal conditions, which positively translated into activity capacity.</p> <p>Evidence concerning the participation domain was limited to only 7 of the 21 studies and is currently restricted to changes in quality of life. Return to work was not measured in any included study, and return to sport was not assessed using metrics based on clearance.</p> <p>Mapping based on the ICF indicates that while BFRT effects are strongly evidenced at the body functions and structures and activity levels, evidence at the participation level remains insufficient, identifying return to work and return to sport outcomes based on clearance as priority knowledge gaps for future trials.</p>

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Blood flow restriction training in musculoskeletal rehabilitation: a comprehensive scoping review of randomised controlled trials

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月5日

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  • Sema Nur Atmaca,
  • Betül Beyza Çolak,
  • Ece Zeynep Saatçı,
  • Nasim Ejraei,
  • Aysel Yıldız Özer

摘要

Context

Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) is increasingly used in musculoskeletal rehabilitation because low-load exercise with blood flow restriction can elicit strength and hypertrophy adaptations and may be suitable for individuals who cannot tolerate high-load training. There is also growing interest in its potential effects on pain, function, and quality of life across rehabilitation outcomes.

Aim

This scoping review aimed to map and synthesise evidence from randomised controlled trials on BFRT in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and to classify reported outcomes according to International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains from a physiotherapy and rehabilitation perspective.

Method

This scoping review searched the literature between November 2024 and January 2025 via Marmara University Library VETIS remote access using PubMed, OVID, Web of Science, and Scopus. The following search strategy was applied: [("Blood Flow Restriction" OR "Occlusion Training") AND ("Rehabilitation" OR "Physiotherapy" OR "Physical Therapy")];. The review was not registered in PROSPERO due to the scoping review design. Eligible studies were English-language, peer-reviewed randomised controlled trials published within the last 10 years. Non-randomised designs and acute-only studies were excluded. Screening was performed independently by four reviewers, with disagreements resolved by a fifth reviewer. Outcomes were synthesised under International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health domains, and methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale.

Conclusion

The search yielded 868 records, and 21 randomised controlled trials were included after duplicate removal and screening. Interventions and protocols varied substantially across studies in terms of cuff parameters, training duration, and frequency. The 21 analyzed moderate to high quality RCTs demonstrated that low load BFRT (20 to 35% 1RM, 60 to 80% occlusion, 4 to 12 weeks) yielded significant improvements in body functions across 11 different musculoskeletal conditions, which positively translated into activity capacity.

Evidence concerning the participation domain was limited to only 7 of the 21 studies and is currently restricted to changes in quality of life. Return to work was not measured in any included study, and return to sport was not assessed using metrics based on clearance.

Mapping based on the ICF indicates that while BFRT effects are strongly evidenced at the body functions and structures and activity levels, evidence at the participation level remains insufficient, identifying return to work and return to sport outcomes based on clearance as priority knowledge gaps for future trials.