Systematic review and meta-analysis on blood flow restriction training for stroke rehabilitation
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Key Takeaway
Consider that blood flow restriction training may improve balance and walking in stroke rehabilitation, but safety data are lacking.
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of conventional rehabilitation combined with blood flow restriction training (BFRT) for stroke patients. The review synthesized data from 522 patients. The primary outcomes were Berg Balance Scale scores and 6-minute walk test distances.
The meta-analysis found that the intervention group had significantly higher Berg Balance Scale scores, with a mean difference of 4.52 (95% CI 0.78 to 8.26, p = 0.02). The intervention group also had longer 6-minute walk test distances, with a mean difference of 9.73 (95% CI 7.26 to 12.21, p = not fully reported).
The authors did not report any limitations in the provided data. Safety outcomes, including adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability, were not reported. The review does not specify the study settings or follow-up duration.
The practice relevance is not specified. The findings suggest a potential benefit of adding BFRT to conventional rehabilitation for improving balance and walking endurance in stroke patients, but the evidence is based on a limited sample and safety data are lacking.
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View Original Abstract ↓
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) for lower limb dysfunction in stroke patients.MethodsRandomized controlled trials published up to October 2025 were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The control group received conventional rehabilitation, while the intervention group received conventional rehabilitation combined with BFRT.ResultsEleven studies involving 522 patients were included. The intervention group achieved significantly higher Berg Balance Scale scores [MD = 4.52, 95% CI (0.78, 8.26), p = 0.02] and longer 6-min walk test distances [MD = 9.73, 95% CI (7.26, 12.21), p
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