Safety and possible effects of low-intensity resistance training associated with partial blood flow restriction in polymyositis and dermatomyositis

Abstract

IntroductionOur aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a low-intensity resistance training program combined with partial blow flow restriction (BFR training) in a cohort of patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM).MethodsIn total, 13 patients with PM and DM completed a 12-week twice a week low-intensity (that is, 30% one-repetition-maximum (1RM)) resistance exercise training program combined with partial blood flow restriction (BFR). Assessments of muscle strength, physical function, quadriceps cross sectional (CSA) area, health-related quality of life, and clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed at baseline and after the intervention.ResultsThe BFR training program was effective in increasing the maximal dynamic strength in both the leg-press (19.6%, P <0.001) and knee-extension exercises (25.2% P <0.001), as well as in the timed-stands (15.1%, P <0.001) and timed-up-and-go test (−4.5%, P =0.002). Quadriceps CSA was also significantly increased after the intervention (4.57%, P =0.01). Similarly, all of the components of the Short Form-36 Health Survey, the Health Assessment Questionnaire scores, and the patient- and physician reported Visual Analogue Scale were significantly improved after training (P <0.05). Importantly, no clinical evidence or any other self-reported adverse event were found. Laboratory parameters (creatine kinase and aldolase) were also unchanged (P >0.05) after the intervention.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that a 12-week supervised low-intensity resistance training program associated with partial blood flow restriction may be safe and effective in improving muscle strength and function as well as muscle mass and health-related quality of life in patients with PM and DM.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT01501019. Registered November 29, 2011.

Blood flow restriction training in clinical musculoskeletal rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Studies involved individuals with knee OA41 49 50 (n=3), ligament injuries42 51 52 (n=3), sporadic inclusion body myositis53 (n=1) and older adults susceptible to sarcopenia26 27 54–64 (n=13). The average age was 58±14 years for a sample range of 10–41 participants.…”

“…Muscle size was assessed by examining muscle CSA,26 27 42 51–53 56 59 61–63 muscle mass,56 muscle volume,27 41 muscle thickness58 60 and fat cross-sectional area (CSA) 59. Studies that assessed physical function included tests of reaction time,54 stair climb power,41 single leg balance,54 timed stands,53 10 m walking time,54 maximum step distance,54 functional reach test,54 chair stand26 56 and the timed up and go test 26 50 53 54 56. A number of studies reported the presence or absence of any adverse events relating to BFR 41 49 53–55 57 59 63 64…”

The Effects of Blood Flow Restriction on Upper-Body Musculature Located Distal and Proximal to Applied Pressure

“…Therefore, BFR may serve as a beneficial tool for increasing muscle size and strength among those who are unable to perform high-load resistance training (i.e., clinical populations). Further support for the use of BFR in clinical populations exists, in that low-load BFR training has been shown to be a safe stimulus [25] and has been demonstrated effective at increasing muscle size and strength in elderly [26] and diseased (myositis) [27] populations, as well as those rehabilitating from injury [28,29].…”

Time to failure and neuromuscular response to intermittent isometric exercise at different levels of vascular occlusion: a randomized crossover study

“…The EVO is useful for various populations as athletes, old people, or subjects with inflammatory muscle diseases, as well as, with osteoarthritis [8][9][10].…”