Muscle strength adaptation between high-load resistance training versus low-load blood flow restriction training with different cuff pressure characteristics: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, blood flow restriction (BFR) with low-load resistance training (BFR-RT) was compared with high-load resistance training (HL-RT) on muscle strength in healthy adults. The characteristics of cuff pressure suitable for muscle strength gain were also investigated by analyzing the effects of applying different occlusion pressure prescriptions and cuff inflation patterns on muscle strength gain. Methods: Literature search was conducted using PubMed, Ovid Medline, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases to identify literature published until May 2023. Studies reporting the effects of BFR-RT interventions on muscle strength gain were compared with those of HL-RT. The risk of bias in the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane tool, followed by a meta-analysis to calculate the combined effect. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore the beneficial variables. Results: Nineteen articles (42 outcomes), with a total of 458 healthy adults, were included in the meta-analysis. The combined effect showed higher muscle strength gain with HL-RT than with BFR-RT (p = 0.03, SMD = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.30 to -0.01). The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the BFR-RT applied with incremental and individualized pressure achieved muscle strength gain similar to the HL-RT (p = 0.8, SMD = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.44 to 0.34; p = 0.68, SMD = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.23 to 0.15), but muscle strength gain obtained via BFR-RT applied with absolute pressure was lower than that of HL-RT (p < 0.05, SMD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.19). Furthermore, muscle strength gain obtained by BFR-RT applied with intermittent pressure was similar to that obtained by HL-RT (p = 0.88, SMD = -0.02, 95% CI: -0.27 to 0.23), but muscle strength gain for BFR-RT applied with continuous pressure showed a less prominent increase than that for HL-RT (p < 0.05, SMD = -0.3, 95% CI: -0.48 to -0.11). Conclusion: In general, HL-RT produces superior muscle strength gains than BFR-RT. However, the application of individualized, incremental, and intermittent pressure exercise protocols in BFR-RT elicits comparable muscle strength gains to HL-RT. Our findings indicate that cuff pressure characteristics play a significant role in establishing a BFR-RT intervention program for enhancing muscle strength in healthy adults. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails; Identifier: PROSPERO (CRD42022364934).

An Analysis of the Clinical Efficacy of Early Dynamic Orthosis after Finger Extensor Digitorum Rupture.

Objective: The main objective is to compare the clinical efficacy of the early use of dynamic orthosis in patients with a finger extensor digitorum rupture. Methods: A total of 50 patients with hand and foot trauma who received surgical treatment in our hospital from March 2017 to February 2021 were selected, and two patients were excluded from the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (group A) was treated with plaster fixation and routine rehabilitation, and the study group (group B) underwent dynamic low-temperature thermoplastic plate fixation and routine rehabilitation. Total active motion (TAM) and total passive motion (TPM) of the injured finger before treatment, one month after treatment, two months after treatment, and after corrective treatment were compared. Results: After treatment following a finger extensor digitorum rupture, the TAM and TPM of the injured fingers increased significantly in both groups. The TAM and TPM in group B were significantly better than those in group A after one and two months of treatment (P < 0.05). After two months of treatment, the rates of improvement in TAM and TPM in group B were significantly higher than those in group A. Conclusion: The early use of dynamic orthosis can significantly improve the motor function and motion amplitude of the injured finger, increase the elasticity and extension of the finger extensor digitorum, and promote the recovery of muscle strength. It is an effective corrective method for tendon contracture after finger extensor digitorum rupture and has great value in clinical application.

CONSORT-Assistive technology-180° rotating eating spoon improves the ability of eating of self-care patients with upper extremity dyskinesia: Rotating eating spoon improves eating ability.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop an assistive technology-180° rotating feeding spoon that could improve the ability of eating of self-care patients with upper extremity dyskinesia. METHODS: The Brunnstrom 6-stage rating of hemiplegia was adopted. During the different recovery stages of the upper limbs, the patients orally ate using a feeding spoon with a non-rotatory head and a 180° rotating feeding spoon. The ability of these patients to eat by themselves was observed, and the basic activity of daily living (BADL) was assessed using the Barthel index (BI). RESULTS: The Brunnstrom assessment scale was used to analyze the results of the patient's upper limb function examination, and the results revealed that the 180° rotating feeding spoon could assist patients with different degrees of upper limb dysfunction when eating independently. CONCLUSIONS: The 180° rotating feeding spoon can assist patients with upper limb dysfunction when eating independently. For patients with different degrees of upper limb dysfunction, the spoon can provide different degrees of aid.