Blood Flow Restricted Electrical Stimulation During Immobilisation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Following injury or surgery to a limb, it is often immobilised to allow tissue healing. Short periods of disuse cause loss of muscle size and strength and impaired mechanical properties of tendons, which leads to reduced function. Strategies to combat these deconditioning adaptations include neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), however at present its effectiveness is limited. Recent research suggests that the effects of NMES can be augmented with blood flow restriction (BFR). At present, the effect of combining these two techniques on muscle function during limb immobilisation is unknown. Furthermore, the impact of BFR training during retraining following immobilisation is unknown.

Detailed Description
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Following injury or surgery to a limb, it is often immobilised to allow tissue healing. Short periods of disuse cause loss of muscle size and strength and impaired mechanical properties of tendons, which leads to reduced function. Strategies to combat these deconditioning adaptations include neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), however at present its effectiveness is limited. Recent research suggests that the effects of NMES can be augmented with blood flow restriction (BFR). At present, the effect of combining these two techniques on muscle function during limb immobilisation is unknown. Furthermore, the impact of BFR training during retraining following immobilisation is unknown. This study will examine the effectiveness and feasibility of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation and blood flow restriction protocol during a 7 day period of immobilisation. Multiple measures across several physiological systems will be obtained.

Official Title
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Investigating the Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Blood Flow Restriction Training on Physiological Deconditioning During Unloading and Retraining

Conditions
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Atrophy, Muscular, Atrophy, Disuse

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Between the age of 18-55 Non-smoker No previous history of cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological problems Not taking anticoagulant medication Injury-free in the 3 months prior to scheduled participation in the study. Exclusion Criteria: Hypertension (<140/80) Metal work in-situ Blood diseases or clotting issues Injury or previous injury (<3 months prior to scheduled participation in the study) Pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction<br>This is the intervention condition | Other: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction<br>* Neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction<br>|
| No Intervention: No intervention<br>This is the control condition | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in maximal isometric strength via Biodex Dynamometer | Strength measure | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | 
| Change in maximal isokinetic strength via Biodex Dynamometer | Strength measure | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in muscle endurance via Biodex Dynamometer | Endurance measure | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | 
| Change in muscle morphology via 2D and 3D ultrasonography | Morphology measure | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | 
| Change in muscle VO2 via near-infrared spectroscopy | VO2 measure | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | 
| Change in blood markers via venous blood samples | Blood markers | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | 
| Change in pressure pain thresholds via handheld allometry | Pain measure | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | 
| Change in corticomotor excitability and inhibition, via transcranial magnetic stimulation | Corticospinal function | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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immobilisation, blood flow restriction, neuromuscular electrical stimulation