NCT06974461

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Strength and Physical Function for Stroke-Related Sarcopenia

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Strength and Physical Function in Individuals With Stroke-Related Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 64 (estimated)
• Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Walking on Muscle Strength and Physical Function in Chronic Stroke Patients with Sarcopenia: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial Primary Objective: To evaluate the effects of BFR walking on muscle strength and physical function in chronic stroke patients with sarcopenia, compared to sham-BFR walking. Secondary Objective: (1) To explore the potential impact of BFR walking on muscle mass and vascular function in chronic stroke patients with sarcopenia. (2) To assess the influence of BFR walking on quality of life in chronic stroke patients with sarcopenia.

Conditions

• Sarcopenia
• Chronic Stroke Patients

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Walking	Participants in this group will undergo a supervised treadmill walking program with blood flow restriction (BFR) applied using BFR pressure cuffs. The cuffs are applied to the proximal thighs, and the training pressure starts at 50% of the participant's arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), increasing every two weeks up to 200 mmHg. Walking is performed at 60% of the maximum walking speed, 20 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.
PROCEDURE	Sham Blood Flow Restriction (Sham-BFR) Walking	Participants in this group will follow the same supervised treadmill walking protocol as the BFR group but with minimal cuff pressure (20 mmHg), which does not restrict blood flow. This simulates the sensation of BFR without physiological impact. The purpose is to serve as a placebo comparator. Walking is performed at 60% of maximum walking speed, 20 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-15
• Primary completion: 2027-12-28
• Completion: 2027-12-28
• First posted: 2025-05-16
• Last updated: 2025-05-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hong Kong