NCT06962514

Low Load With Blood Flow Restriction for Improving Strength, Balance, and Cognition in Older Adults

Effects of Low Load Resistance Exercise With a Blood Flow Restriction Cuff on Strength, Balance, Physical Performance, Depression and Cognition in Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Double-blind Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 26 (actual)
• Sponsor: Sahmyook University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to examine the effects of low load resistance exercise with a blood flow restriction cuff on muscle strength, balance, physical performance, depression, and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.

Detailed description

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of low-load resistance exercise combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) in community-dwelling older adults. A total of 26 participants aged 65 and older will be randomly assigned to either a BFR exercise group or a control group that performs the same resistance exercises without BFR. The intervention will be conducted twice a week for 8 weeks (16 sessions total). The BFR cuffs will be applied at 50% of the participant's arterial occlusion pressure. Both groups will undergo the same exercise protocol, supervised by trained personnel. Assessments will be performed at baseline and after the intervention. Primary outcome measures include lower limb strength (5 Times Sit-to-Stand Test), balance ability (Timed Up and Go test), gait performance (10-meter walk test, GaitRite), muscle mass index (SMI) using BWA 2.0, muscle thickness (quadriceps via ultrasound), cognitive function (MoCA), depression level (GDS-K). Both participants and outcome assessors are blinded to group allocation. This study has received IRB approval from Sahmyook University Institutional Review Board.

Conditions

• Blood Flow Restriction Exercise
• Resistance Training
• Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)
• Muscle Strength
• Balance
• Cognition
• Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Blood flow restriction cuff	Use of blood flow restriction cuff during resistance training. The cuff pressure is set at 50% of the participant's arterial occlusion pressure.
OTHER	Exercise without BFR cuff	Resistance exercise performed without blood flow restriction. Same protocol as BFR group but without cuff application.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-12
• Primary completion: 2025-07-10
• Completion: 2025-07-14
• First posted: 2025-05-08
• Last updated: 2025-07-31

Locations

1 site across 1 country: South Korea