Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2026, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 561-570.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.05.006

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Effect of blood flow restriction training under different intensities combined with low-intensity resistance training on motor function in elderly stroke patients with frailty

AN Yongyi1, LI Xuemei2, CHANG Xueyou2, ZHAO Yaning1(), HUANG Hailing2, YANG Yadong1   

  1. 1 School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, China
    2 Affiliated Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
  • Received:2026-01-04 Published:2026-05-25 Online:2026-05-26
  • Contact: ZHAO Yaning E-mail:993241832@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    Graduate Student Innovation Fund of North China University of Science and Technology(2025S06)

Abstract:

Objective To explore the effect of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) under different intensities combined with low-intensity resistance training (LIRT) on motor function in stroke patients with frailty.
Methods From August, 2024 to August, 2025, 200 elderly ischemic stroke patients with frailty from Affiliated Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology were randomized into control group and observation groups 1, 2 and 3, with 50 cases in each group. All the groups received 30% 1RM resistance training. In addition, the observation groups received BFRT of 40%, 50% and 60% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), respectively. Before training, and four and eight weeks after training, their motor function was evaluated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities (FMA-LE), grip strength, 10-Metre Walk Test (10MWT) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS); Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP) was used to assess frailty status; and the score of modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), blood pressure and resting heart rate were recorded.
Results One case dropped out in each group. For the scores of FMA-UE and FMA-LE, the grip strength of both hands, the time of 10MWT and the score of BBS, the main effects of group and time, and interaction effect were all significant (F>2.745, P<0.05); four weeks after training, the above indexes were better in the observation groups than in the control group (P<0.05); eight weeks after training, the scores of FMA-UE and FMA-LE, the grip strength of both hand and the score of BBS were better in the observation group 3 than in the observation groups 1 and 2 (P<0.05), and the time of 10MWT was better in the observation group 3 than in the observation group 1 (P<0.05). For the score of FFP, the main effect of group was significant (F=688.360, P<0.001), however, the effects of time and interaction were not significant (P>0.05). For the score of MAS, the main effect of group was significant (F=7.171, P=0.008), however, the effects of time and interaction were not significant (P>0.05). For the blood pressure and resting heart rate, the main effects of group and time, and interaction effect were not significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion BFRT under different intensities combined with LIRT can safely improve the motor function, grip strength, walking ability in elderly stroke patients, and 60% AOP may be more effective.

Key words: stroke, frailty, blood flow restriction training, resistance exercise, motor function

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