Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Training Exercises on Hand Grip Strength in Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsied Children

Blood Flow Restriction Training and Hand Grip Strength in Hemiparetic CP

The study aims to investigate the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) training exercises on the hand grip strength of children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Hand grip strength is a vital component of motor function and is often severely compromised in children with hemiparetic CP, which can significantly impact their daily activities and quality of life. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a novel exercise technique where a cuff or band is used to partially occlude blood flow during low-intensity resistance exercises. This method has been shown to stimulate muscle growth and strength gains similar to those achieved through high-intensity strength training, without the need for high loads. Given the unique physiological challenges faced by children with hemiparetic CP, BFR training could provide an effective alternative to traditional strength training methods.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Cerebral Palsy Spastic Hemiplegic
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: control group; Device: Blood Flow Restriction Training Exercises group

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Giza, Egypt
    • Cairo Universit

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Age will range from 6-12 years

• Diagnosed with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (right or left side).
• According to Modified Ashwer scale, has grade 1 or 1+ grade
• Children with the ability to understand and follow verbal commands and instructions used during training and tests

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any contraindications to exercise, such as moderate or severe spasticity, orthopedic deformities, or other serious health conditions.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Study group	Device: Blood Flow Restriction Training Exercises group; The BFR group underwent BFR training for 8 weeks, with sessions held three times per week. A tourniquet-style cuff is placed on the upper arm to restrict blood flow during exercise. The exercises involved are low-intensity grip strengthening activities (e.g., squeezing a rubber ball, gripping a hand dynamometer) at 20% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM). The cuff pressure is set at 50-70% of the participants' limb occlusion pressure, as determined by an initial assessment.
Active Comparator: Control group; The control group performs traditional hand grip strengthening exercises, focusing on similar exercises but without blood flow restriction. Both groups participate in a similar frequency and duration of training, with a gradual increase in repetitions over the 8 weeks	Behavioral: control group; The control group performs traditional hand grip strengthening exercises, focusing on similar exercises but without blood flow restriction. Both groups participate in a similar frequency and duration of training, with a gradual increase in repetitions over the 8 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Hand grip strength measured using a handheld dynamometer	Hand grip strength of the affected hand will be assessed using a calibrated handheld dynamometer. The maximum voluntary grip force will be recorded in kilograms (kg). Three trials will be performed, and the highest value will be used for analysis.	8 weeks
muscle thickness at the midpoint of the forearm flexor muscles		8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cairo University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 31, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 11, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 6, 2026
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Investigative Techniques; Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Methods; Research Design; Methods; Control Groups
• Other Study ID Numbers: P.T.REC/012/005952

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No