Effects of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training With and Without Hip Abductor Strengthening in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis.(BFR)

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

• Ages 40 to 60 years
• All sexes
• No healthy volunteers
• Adult

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

About this study

Official title: Effects of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Resistance With and Without Hip Abductor Strength Training on Pain, Range of Motion, Strength and Function in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis.

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis

Being tested

Hip Abductor Strength Training followed by Low-Load BFR Resistance Training, Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Resistance Training

Keywords

Blood Flow Restriction Training, Hip Abductor Strength Training, Low-Load Resistance, Pain, Strength

Medical subject headings

Osteoarthritis, Knee, Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

• Hip Abductor Strength Training followed by Low-Load BFR Resistance TrainingOther

  Participants will receive hip abductor strengthening for Weeks 2-4, followed by BFR resistance training during Weeks 5-6, under physiotherapist supervision.

  Exercises include side-lying hip abduction, clamshells, standing resisted hip abduction, and lateral band walks (3 sets of 10-15 repetitions or 10 lateral steps per direction), with 60-second rest intervals.

  Training will begin with bodyweight exercises, progressing to TheraBand resistance from Week 2, without BFR cuff application during hip exercises.

  Weeks 5-6: Participants will receive BFR training (knee extensions and leg presses) at 20-30% of 1RM, 70% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), and 4 sets of 30-15-15-15 repetitions.

• Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Resistance TrainingOther

  Participants will receive supervised low-load BFR training targeting quadriceps and hamstrings through seated knee extensions, leg presses (bilateral/unilateral), and progressive mini squats at 20-30% of 1RM.Each exercise includes 4 sets (30-15-15-15 repetitions), with 30-60 seconds of rest between sets while the cuff remains inflated, followed by immediate deflation after the final set.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

1. Numeric Pain Rating Scale NRPS

   11-point numeric with 0 representing No pain, 1-3 representing Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs), 4-6 representing Moderate Pains (interferes significantly with ADLs), 7-10 representing Sever Pain

   Measured: Baseline and post treatment after 6 weeks

2. Western Ontario And McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)

   The WOMAC is a disease-specific questionnaire designed to assess symptoms and functional limitations in individuals with knee and hip osteoarthritis. It consists of 24 items divided into three domains: Pain (5 items), Stiffness (2 items), and Physical.Function (1 7 items). The WOMAC is widely used to evaluate the impact of osteoarthritis on daily activities and quality of life.Higher WOMAC scores indicate greater pain, stiffness, and functional disability, whereas lower scores represent betterfunctional status and symptom improvement.

   Measured: Baseline and post treatment after 6 weeks

3. Goniometer

   A goniometer is a reliable clinical tool used to measure knee flexion and extension ROM in patients with knee osteoarthritis, assess joint mobility, monitor disease progression, and evaluate rehabilitation outcomes. Normal knee flexion is approximately 135°-140° and extension is 0°. Reduced ROM indicates stiffness, pain, or functional limitations.

   Measured: Baseline and post treatment after 6 weeks

4. Handheld Dynamometer

   A handheld dynamometer (HHD) is a portable, objective tool used to measure isometric muscle strength at a fixed joint position. It records maximum muscle force in Newtons (N) or kilograms-force (kgf), with higher values indicating greater muscle strength.

   Measured: Baseline and post treatment after 6 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

1. First posted23 Oct 2026
2. Study start20 Oct 2026 (estimated)
3. Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
4. Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)

Resources

• Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
• Other trials for Knee OsteoarthritisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
• What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.