Effects of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training With and Without Hip Abductor Strengthening in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis.(BFR)

NCT07892144 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: RE-169-2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the effects of low-load Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) resistance training with and without hip abductor strengthening in patients with knee osteoarthritis. It will evaluate the effectiveness of both treatment approaches in reducing knee pain, improving range of motion, increasing muscle strength, and enhancing functional ability. The study will determine which intervention provides better clinical outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis

Keywords

Blood Flow Restriction Training; Hip Abductor Strength Training; Low-Load Resistance; Pain; Strength

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale NRPS

  11-point numeric with 0 representing No pain, 1-3 representing Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs), 4-6 representing Moderate Pains (interferes significantly with ADLs), 7-10 representing Sever Pain

  Baseline and post treatment after 6 weeks

• Western Ontario And McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)

  The WOMAC is a disease-specific questionnaire designed to assess symptoms and functional limitations in individuals with knee and hip osteoarthritis. It consists of 24 items divided into three domains: Pain (5 items), Stiffness (2 items), and Physical.Function (1 7 items). The WOMAC is widely used to evaluate the impact of osteoarthritis on daily activities and quality of life.Higher WOMAC scores indicate greater pain, stiffness, and functional disability, whereas lower scores represent betterfunctional status and symptom improvement.

  Baseline and post treatment after 6 weeks

• Goniometer

  A goniometer is a reliable clinical tool used to measure knee flexion and extension ROM in patients with knee osteoarthritis, assess joint mobility, monitor disease progression, and evaluate rehabilitation outcomes. Normal knee flexion is approximately 135°-140° and extension is 0°. Reduced ROM indicates stiffness, pain, or functional limitations.

  Baseline and post treatment after 6 weeks

• Handheld Dynamometer

  A handheld dynamometer (HHD) is a portable, objective tool used to measure isometric muscle strength at a fixed joint position. It records maximum muscle force in Newtons (N) or kilograms-force (kgf), with higher values indicating greater muscle strength.

  Baseline and post treatment after 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• SF-1 2 (Short form -1 2 Health Survey)

  Baseline and post treatment after 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Resistance Training

Hip abductor strength training followed by low-load BFR resistance training

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Hip Abductor Strength Training followed by Low-Load BFR Resistance Training

Interventions

Hip Abductor Strength Training followed by Low-Load BFR Resistance Training OTHER

Participants will receive hip abductor strengthening for Weeks 2-4, followed by BFR resistance training during Weeks 5-6, under physiotherapist supervision. Exercises include side-lying hip abduction, clamshells, standing resisted hip abduction, and lateral band walks (3 sets of 10-15 repetitions or 10 lateral steps per direction), with 60-second rest intervals. Training will begin with bodyweight exercises, progressing to TheraBand resistance from Week 2, without BFR cuff application during hip exercises. Weeks 5-6: Participants will receive BFR training (knee extensions and leg presses) at 20-30% of 1RM, 70% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), and 4 sets of 30-15-15-15 repetitions.

Hip abductor strength training followed by low-load BFR resistance training

Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Resistance Training OTHER

Participants will receive supervised low-load BFR training targeting quadriceps and hamstrings through seated knee extensions, leg presses (bilateral/unilateral), and progressive mini squats at 20-30% of 1RM.Each exercise includes 4 sets (30-15-15-15 repetitions), with 30-60 seconds of rest between sets while the cuff remains inflated, followed by immediate deflation after the final set.

Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Both genders. Age 40-60 years. BMI (kg/m 2 ) \< 30 Have unilateral or bilateral knee OA. Have radiographic OA severity of Kellgren-Lawrence Grade I-II. Knee pain ≥3 months. Report pain intensity of ≥4-6/1 0 on Numeric Pain rating scale. Be able to walk independently without assistive devices

You may not qualify if:

• Total Knee replacement Deep venous thrombosis. Severe Cardiovascular disorders.(such as Acute myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease) Uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes. Acute knee injury within the last 6 months. Significant ligament tears (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL). Knee surgery within the last 6-1 2 months. Lower limb Fractures

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Management and Technology Lahore: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Management & Technology

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

Related Links

• Related Info

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain

Interventions

Resistance Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Osteoarthritis; Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: This study aims to compare the effects of low-load Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) resistance training with and without hip abductor strengthening in patients with knee osteoarthritis. It will evaluate the effectiveness of both treatment approaches in reducing knee pain, improving range of motion, increasing muscle strength, and enhancing functional ability. The study will determine which intervention provides better clinical outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 17, 2026
• First Posted: October 23, 2026
• Study Start: October 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: October 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: 6 months after the publication of the manuscript
• Access Criteria: The data can be requested from the corresponding author.

Locations

PA (1)