NCT07140796

Effects of Hip Blood Flow Restriction and Shockwave Therapy on Q-Angle and Plantar Pressure in Adults With Genu Varum

"A Crossover Study Investigating the Effects of Gluteus Medius-Focused Blood Flow Restriction Training With or Without Radial Shockwave Therapy on Q-Angle and Plantar Pressure in Adults With Genu Varum"

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 14 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Sungjin Park · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of gluteus medius-focused blood flow restriction (BFR) training, with or without the addition of radial shockwave therapy, on lower limb alignment in adults with genu varum. The study uses a crossover design and evaluates changes in Q-angle(Quadriceps-angle) and plantar pressure as primary outcomes. All interventions are non-invasive and supervised, and the goal is to identify effective therapeutic strategies to improve biomechanical alignment in individuals with bowed legs.

Detailed description

This study investigates the effects of gluteus medius-focused blood flow restriction (BFR) training with or without radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) on lower limb alignment in adults with genu varum. Genu varum, commonly known as bow-leggedness, can lead to altered biomechanical patterns and increased stress on the medial knee joint. Strengthening the hip muscles, particularly the gluteus medius, may contribute to improved alignment and postural stability. Participants will undergo two different intervention phases in a crossover design. Each phase includes a 4-week intervention period, with a 2-week washout in between. The primary outcome measures are Q-angle (quadriceps angle) and plantar pressure distribution, which will be assessed before and after each intervention phase using validated measurement tools. This study aims to determine whether BFR training alone or combined with shockwave therapy provides greater improvement in lower limb alignment in individuals with genu varum. All interventions will be supervised, non-invasive, and conducted in a clinical setting under standardized conditions.

Conditions

• Genu Varum

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Blood Flow Restriction Training	Participants perform squats with 15% of their body weight under blood flow restriction using a thigh cuff. Hip internal rotation is set at 15 degrees. The training is conducted twice a week for 4 weeks. Cuff pressure is estimated using a predictive formula based on thigh circumference and systolic blood pressure.
DEVICE	Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy	Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) is applied to the gluteus medius region prior to each exercise session. The protocol includes 2000 pulses per session, applied twice per week for 4 weeks, using a radial shockwave device.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-10
• Primary completion: 2025-09-10
• Completion: 2026-01-01
• First posted: 2025-08-26
• Last updated: 2025-09-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: South Korea