Pain can be one of the primary limiting factors to progress following musculoskeletal injury and may be caused by trauma or degenerative changes. There are few exercise rehabilitation interventions able to relieve pain, thereby reducing the number of military personnel fit for operations. Low load blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise has been shown to elicit an analgesic response and promote beneficial physiological changes in a variety of clinical populations.
This two phase study, aims to:
* Determine the most effective and feasible BFR resistance exercise protocol for reducing pain in UK military patients. * Determine the efficacy of an optimal BFR exercise protocol for reducing pain and improving rehabilitation outcomes in UK military patients. * Identify key physiological mechanisms underpinning any beneficial effect of BFR exercise on pain.
Consequently, results from this study will have direct clinical application and will aid best practice guidelines for the management of pain across Defence Rehabilitation by influencing the future rehabilitation paradigm. The investigators believe the results and impact will be far reaching, providing invaluable insight and knowledge to the clinical and scientific community to not only those embedded within Defence Rehabilitation, but also those working in civilian sector organisations and professional sport also.
Serving UK military personnel,
Aged 18-55,
Has unilateral lower limb injury whereby pain is the primary limiting factor hindering progression, as diagnosed by relevant consultant and team,
Reduced occupational employability and function,
Any medical contraindication related to BFR*
Non-musculoskeletal or serious pathological condition (i.e. Inflammatory arthropathy, infection or tumour)
Spinal or referred pain from non-local pain source
Any pre-diagnosed physical impairment or co-morbidities (including cardio-vascular disease) precluding the safe participation in the rehabilitation programme and/or assessment procedures
Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, UK
Lead sponsor
University of Bath
Sponsor institution
Northumbria University
Collaborator