Effects of blood flow restriction training on the upper and lower limbs in postsurgical patients: a systematic review

Introduction: muscle atrophy and weakness are common challenges in post-surgical rehabilitation. It has been shown that blood flow restriction counters these processes, thanks to mechanisms such as metabolic stress and mechanical tension, in both healthy and clinical populations. The purpose of this review was to examine the effects of blood flow restriction training on the upper and lower extremities in post-surgical patients. Material and method: a search was conducted on PubMed and Cochrane, selecting randomized clinical trials published in the last 5 years. Those involving combined training with blood flow restriction in post-surgical populations were included, while those focused on other pathologies or surgeries unrelated to the musculoskeletal system were excluded. Results: out of 113 publications identified in the initial search, only 7 met the inclusion criteria. The main results revealed significant improvements in muscle strength (six studies), hypertrophy (three studies), functionality (five studies), pain (six studies), and stability (two studies). Conclusions: blood flow restriction training emerges as a potential option for post-surgical rehabilitation. However, further research is required on its impact on the upper limb, as well as other variables and their plausible mechanisms. © 2024 Sociedad Andaluza de Fisioterapia. SOFIA.. All rights reserved.