Blood Flow Restricted Electrical Stimulation During Immobilisation
- Conditions
- Atrophy, DisuseAtrophy, Muscular
- Interventions
- Other: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction
- Registration Number
- NCT05093985
- Lead Sponsor
- St Mary's University College
- Brief Summary
Following injury or surgery to a limb, it is often immobilised to allow tissue healing. Short periods of disuse cause loss of muscle size and strength and impaired mechanical properties of tendons, which leads to reduced function. Strategies to combat these deconditioning adaptations include neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), however at present its effectiveness is limited. Recent research suggests that the effects of NMES can be augmented with blood flow restriction (BFR). At present, the effect of combining these two techniques on muscle function during limb immobilisation is unknown. Furthermore, the impact of BFR training during retraining following immobilisation is unknown.
- Detailed Description
Following injury or surgery to a limb, it is often immobilised to allow tissue healing. Short periods of disuse cause loss of muscle size and strength and impaired mechanical properties of tendons, which leads to reduced function. Strategies to combat these deconditioning adaptations include neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), however at present its effectiveness is limited. Recent research suggests that the effects of NMES can be augmented with blood flow restriction (BFR). At present, the effect of combining these two techniques on muscle function during limb immobilisation is unknown. Furthermore, the impact of BFR training during retraining following immobilisation is unknown.
This study will examine the effectiveness and feasibility of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation and blood flow restriction protocol during a 7 day period of immobilisation. Multiple measures across several physiological systems will be obtained.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- UNKNOWN
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 36
- Between the age of 18-55
- Non-smoker
- No previous history of cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological problems
- Not taking anticoagulant medication
- Injury-free in the 3 months prior to scheduled participation in the study.
- Hypertension (<140/80)
- Metal work in-situ
- Blood diseases or clotting issues
- Injury or previous injury (<3 months prior to scheduled participation in the study)
- Pregnancy
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction Neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction This is the intervention condition
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in maximal isometric strength via Biodex Dynamometer Through study completion, an average of 1 year Strength measure
Change in maximal isokinetic strength via Biodex Dynamometer Through study completion, an average of 1 year Strength measure
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in muscle VO2 via near-infrared spectroscopy Through study completion, an average of 1 year VO2 measure
Change in blood markers via venous blood samples Through study completion, an average of 1 year Blood markers
Change in muscle endurance via Biodex Dynamometer Through study completion, an average of 1 year Endurance measure
Change in muscle morphology via 2D and 3D ultrasonography Through study completion, an average of 1 year Morphology measure
Change in pressure pain thresholds via handheld allometry Through study completion, an average of 1 year Pain measure
Change in corticomotor excitability and inhibition, via transcranial magnetic stimulation Through study completion, an average of 1 year Corticospinal function