Combined Effects of LIRT-BFR Therapy in Post- Stroke Patients

June 8, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Combined Effects of Low Intensity Resistance Training With Blood Flow Restriction Therapy on Upper Limb Strength, Forward Reach and Sensorimotor Function in Post-Stroke Patients

Stroke is a focal neurological deficit of sudden onset, with symptoms lasting more than 24 hours leading to consequences like impacting physical abilities, cognitive functions and emotional well-being, speech and language difficulties. Among various rehabilitation program, Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy with low intensity resistance training has shown its promising results. Blood flow restriction training, also called Kaatsu, originated in Japan. So this study aims to determine the combined effects of Low Intensity Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction Therapy on Upper Limb Strength, Forward Reach and Sensorimotor function in Post-Stroke Patients.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

It will be a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Non-probability convenience sampling technique will be used to recruit 64 participants aged 50 to 70 years, one-month post-stroke from hospitals of Sialkot. Sealed opaque method will be used to evenly divide to either Group-BFR therapy or Group-conventional physical therapy. Group-BFR therapy will perform low-intensity resistance exercises at 40% of their 1-RM using 2 kg weights and resistance bands, cuff will be applied at proximal site of upper limb at 150-160 mmHg. Group-conventional physical therapy will perform sensorimotor exercises and strength training with 2-3 kg weights, bands and forward reaching activities. Both groups will perform their respective exercises for 40 minutes, 4 days/week, for 6 weeks. Participants will be evaluated at the baseline and post-intervention exercise program. Outcome measures include the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper extremity function, the Functional Reach Test for forward reach, and the Action Research Arm Test for strength. Data will be analyzed using SPSS software 25. After normality testing of the data, the Paired sample t-test will be used for parametric data while Wilcoxon test will be used for non-parametric data in intragroup comparison, while for intergroup comparison, the independent t-test will be for parametric data and Mann-Whitney U test will be used for non-parametric data

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

64

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Sialkot, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 39000
        • Recruiting
        • Amin Welfare & Teaching Hospital
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • • 50 to 70 year of age (5)

    • Both males and females (5)
    • Generalized stroke population (both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke) (9).
    • Post stroke patient after 1 month (5)
    • Barthel index scores ≥ 20 (10)
    • Spasticity level according to Modified Ashworth scale should be 1/+1 grade in the affected upper limb(7)
    • Muscle strength at grade 3 according to MMT of affected upper limb (7)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • • People with a history of mental/cognitive illness (9)

    • History of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or recurrent stroke (8)
    • Diabetes with peripheral neuropathy (5)
    • Having resting blood pressure above 160/100 mmHg even after taking medications
    • Cardiovascular comorbidity (heart failure, unstable angina, aortic stenosis)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Low intensity resistance training with Blood flow restriction therapy

Low intensity resistance training with BFR in U.L Using B.P cuff at proximal site of U.L 40% of 1RM Resistance training of U.L will be performed using small weights (1-2kg) and resistance bands.

Cuff pressure should be 150-160 mmHg
Other: Low intensity resistance training with Blood flow restriction therapy

Low intensity resistance training with BFR in U.L Using B.P cuff at proximal site of U.L 40% of 1RM Resistance training of U.L will be performed using small weights (1-2kg) and resistance bands.

Cuff pressure should be 150-160 mmHg
Active Comparator: Conventional Physical Therapy Protocol

Upper extremity Motor skills:

Reaching, Grasping Strengthening Exercises, CIMT

Sensory skills:

By manually exploring different objects, temperature and pressure Dull stroke through cotton, Sharp stroke through common pin, needle to retrain sensory inputs.

Upper extremity Strengthening exercises Strengthening Exercises through Thera bands, 1 or 2 kg dumbels Forward Reaching exercises with stable lower extremity Reaching exercises with stable lower extremity Standing position,core engagement, Arm position controlled movement minimizing trunk and hip movement, perturbations technique to improve stability
Other: Conventional Physical Therapy Protocol

Upper extremity Motor skills:

Reaching, Grasping Strengthening Exercises, CIMT

Sensory skills:

By manually exploring different objects, temperature and pressure Dull stroke through cotton, Sharp stroke through common pin, needle to retrain sensory inputs.

Upper extremity Strengthening exercises Strengthening Exercises through Thera bands, 1 or 2 kg dumbels Forward Reaching exercises with stable lower extremity Reaching exercises with stable lower extremity Standing position,core engagement, Arm position controlled movement minimizing trunk and hip movement, perturbations technique to improve stability.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Sensory Motor Function of upper Limb
Time Frame: Baseline and post 6 weeks
Fugl-Meyer Assessment test for Upper extremity (FMA-UE)
Baseline and post 6 weeks
Upper Extremity strength
Time Frame: Baseline and post 6 weeks
Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)
Baseline and post 6 weeks
Forward reach Distance
Time Frame: Baseline and post 6 weeks
Functional Reach Test (FRT)
Baseline and post 6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Aiza Yousaf, MS-OMPT, Riphah International University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 5, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 8, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 8, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 12, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 8, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REC/RCR&AHS/25/0242

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

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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