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Blood Flow Restriction Training in Women With Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (BFR-PTTD)

1 augusti 2026 uppdaterad av: Hajar Mohammed Edris, May University in Cairo

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Dynamic Postural Stability and Proprioception in Post-Menopausal Women With Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain, impaired foot function, and reduced dynamic stability. As one of the primary causes of adult-acquired flatfoot deformity, it can significantly affect walking ability, balance, and overall performance of daily activities. Although conventional rehabilitation typically emphasizes strengthening the posterior tibial tendon and surrounding muscles, these interventions may not fully address deficits in neuromuscular control and postural stability, highlighting the need for additional therapeutic approaches.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether incorporating blood flow restriction (BFR) training into a rehabilitation program provides additional benefits for postmenopausal women with Stage I or flexible Stage II PTTD. A total of 54 eligible participants will be randomly allocated to either a BFR training group or a conventional exercise group. Clinical outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention, including dynamic postural stability measured with the Biodex Balance System and active and passive ankle joint position sense assessed using the Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer.

Studieöversikt

Detaljerad beskrivning

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a progressive musculoskeletal disorder that affects the integrity and function of the posterior tibial tendon, leading to pain, impaired foot support, decreased postural stability, and functional limitations. As one of the most common causes of adult-acquired flatfoot deformity, PTTD can substantially interfere with walking, balance, and other daily activities. The condition is particularly prevalent among middle-aged and older women. In postmenopausal women, age-related declines in muscle strength, tendon quality, and neuromuscular function may further compromise lower-limb stability and physical performance.

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training has emerged as a promising rehabilitation technique in which low-load resistance exercise is performed while a pneumatic cuff applies controlled pressure to the proximal portion of the limb. By partially restricting blood flow during exercise, this approach enables individuals to achieve training adaptations that are typically associated with higher exercise intensities while using considerably lower loads. Although BFR has shown encouraging results in the rehabilitation of various musculoskeletal conditions, its effectiveness in individuals with PTTD, particularly postmenopausal women, has not been adequately investigated.

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of a rehabilitation program incorporating blood flow restriction training with those of a conventional rehabilitation exercise program in postmenopausal women with Stage I or flexible Stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups.

Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after completion of 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be dynamic postural stability, measured using the Biodex Balance System. Secondary outcomes will include active and passive ankle joint position sense assessed using the Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer

The findings of this study are expected to expand the current evidence regarding the use of blood flow restriction training in the rehabilitation of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. They may also help guide future evidence-based rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving functional outcomes and postural stability in postmenopausal women with this condition.

Studietyp

Interventionell

Inskrivning (Beräknad)

54

Fas

  • Inte tillämpbar

Kontakter och platser

Det här avsnittet innehåller kontaktuppgifter för dem som genomför studien och information om var denna studie genomförs.

Studiekontakt

Studieorter

    • Cairo Governorate
      • Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypten
        • Faculty of Physical Therapy, May University in Cairo
        • Kontakt:

Deltagandekriterier

Forskare letar efter personer som passar en viss beskrivning, så kallade behörighetskriterier. Några exempel på dessa kriterier är en persons allmänna hälsotillstånd eller tidigare behandlingar.

Urvalskriterier

Åldrar som är berättigade till studier

  • Vuxen

Tar emot friska volontärer

Nej

Beskrivning

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female post-menopausal women aged 40-55 years.
  • Clinically diagnosed with Stage I or flexible Stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction according to the Johnson and Strom classification modified by Myerson confirmed by an orthopedic physician.
  • Symptoms persisting for ≥ 3 months.
  • Pain intensity of ≥3/10 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during weight-bearing activities.
  • Medically cleared to participate in blood flow restriction resistance training.
  • Symptoms located at the medial ankle or foot.
  • Pain on palpation of the posterior tibial tendon.
  • A positive double and/or single heel-rise test.
  • Able to walk independently without assistive devices
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and <24.9 kg/m².
  • Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Rigidity of the hindfoot.
  • Pain on palpation of the fibular muscles.
  • History of corticosteroid injection in the tendon in a one-month period prior to the study onset.
  • History of surgery to the hindfoot and/or ankle.
  • History of previous surgeries to the musculoskeletal structures (i.e., bones, joint structures, nerves) in either limb of the lower extremities.
  • History of a fracture in either limb of the lower extremities requiring realignment.
  • Acute injury to musculoskeletal structures of other joints of the lower extremity in the previous three months, which impacted joint integrity and function (i.e., sprains, fractures) resulting in interruption of desired physical activity.
  • Hip joint or knee joint replacement.
  • Patients who were possibly at risk of adverse reactions of blood flow restriction (i.e., poor circulatory system, obesity, diabetes, arterial calcification, sickle cell trait, severe hypertension, or renal failure).
  • Any neurological conditions that affect proprioception, such as polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and sensory ataxia.
  • Vestibular deficits and vision problems.

Studieplan

Det här avsnittet ger detaljer om studieplanen, inklusive hur studien är utformad och vad studien mäter.

Hur är studien utformad?

Designdetaljer

  • Primärt syfte: Behandling
  • Tilldelning: Randomiserad
  • Interventionsmodell: Parallellt uppdrag
  • Maskning: Enda

Vapen och interventioner

Deltagargrupp / Arm
Intervention / Behandling
Experimentell: Blood Flow Restriction Group
Participants receive a conventional physical therapy program combined with blood flow restriction. Training
Low-load Resistance exercise performed with a pneumatic cuff applied to the proximal lower extremities
Andra namn:
  • BFR
Strengthening Exercises and ankle support
Andra namn:
  • CPT
Aktiv komparator: Conventional Physical Therapy Group
Participants receive the same exercise program without blood flow restriction
Strengthening Exercises and ankle support
Andra namn:
  • CPT

Vad mäter studien?

Primära resultatmått

Resultatmått
Åtgärdsbeskrivning
Tidsram
Overall Stability Index (OSI)
Tidsram: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention
The Overall Stability Index (OSI) will be measured using the Biodex Balance System. The OSI quantifies the overall variance of platform displacement from level during static balance testing and is expressed in degrees. Lower OSI values indicate better postural stability.
Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention
Anteroposterior Stability Index (APSI)
Tidsram: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention
The Anteroposterior Stability Index (APSI) will be measured using the Biodex Balance System. APSI quantifies postural sway in the sagittal (anteroposterior) plane during static balance testing and is expressed in degrees. Lower APSI values indicate better balance control in the anteroposterior direction.
Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention
Mediolateral Stability Index (MLSI)
Tidsram: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention
The Mediolateral Stability Index (MLSI) will be measured using the Biodex Balance System. MLSI quantifies postural sway in the frontal (mediolateral) plane during static balance testing and is expressed in degrees. Lower MLSI values indicate better balance control in the mediolateral direction.
Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention
Limits of stability (LOS)
Tidsram: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention
Limits of Stability (LOS) will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System SD. LOS evaluates the participant's ability to voluntarily shift the center of gravity toward predefined targets while maintaining postural control. Performance is expressed as an overall percentage score (%), with higher values indicating better dynamic balance and postural control.
Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention

Sekundära resultatmått

Resultatmått
Åtgärdsbeskrivning
Tidsram
Active Ankle Joint Position Sense
Tidsram: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention
Active ankle joint position sense will be assessed using the Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer during an active joint reposition test in the sagittal plane. The outcome is expressed as the absolute angular repositioning error in degrees (°). Lower values indicate better proprioceptive accuracy.
Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention
Passive Ankle Joint Position Sense
Tidsram: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention
Passive ankle joint position sense will be assessed using the Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer during a passive joint repositioning test in the sagittal plane. The outcome is expressed as the absolute angular repositioning error in degrees (°). Lower values indicate better proprioceptive accuracy.
Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention

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Studieavstämningsdatum

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Studera stora datum

Studiestart (Beräknad)

1 augusti 2026

Primärt slutförande (Beräknad)

1 september 2026

Avslutad studie (Beräknad)

1 oktober 2026

Studieregistreringsdatum

Först inskickad

28 juli 2026

Först inskickad som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna

1 augusti 2026

Första postat (Faktisk)

6 augusti 2026

Uppdateringar av studier

Senaste uppdatering publicerad (Faktisk)

6 augusti 2026

Senaste inskickade uppdateringen som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna

1 augusti 2026

Senast verifierad

1 augusti 2026

Mer information

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