Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (32): 5215-5221.doi: 10.12307/2021.227

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Different modes of blood flow restriction in the treatment of senile sarcopenia: therapeutic effects and safety factors 

Chen Rong1, Zeng Qing1, Gong Ze1, Huang Guozhi1, 2#br#

#br#
  

  1. 1Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, Guangdong Province, China; 2Medical College of Rehabilitation, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, Guangdong Province, China

  • Received:2020-09-15 Revised:2020-09-18 Accepted:2020-10-30 Online:2021-11-18 Published:2021-07-26
  • Contact: huang Guozhi, MD, Chief physician, Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, Guangdong Province, China; Medical College of Rehabilitation, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, Guangdong Province, China
  • About author:chen rong, master candidate, Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, Guangdong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program), No. 81874032 and 82072528 (to HGZ); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Program), No. 82002380 (to ZQ); Guangdong Provincial Medical Science and Technology Research Project, No. A2017610 (to ZQ)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Geriatric muscular dystrophy increases the incidence of falls, fractures, and cardiovascular adverse events. The blood flow restriction therapy combine with exercise is appropriate for preventing and treating sarcopenia.
Studies have reported merits and demerits of blood flow restriction therapy in the middle-aged and elderly with regard to muscular fitness, in which blood flow restriction therapy has been basically affirmed to be scientific and effective for improving muscle strength and mass in the middle-aged and elderly people. However, there is yet no report to review the application and mechanism of different modes of blood flow restriction therapy in senile sarcopenia.
OBJECTIVE: To review the efficacy, safety and adverse reactions of blood flow restriction therapy in sarcopenia, and to provide new ideas for such patients about how to choose scientific and effective treatment methods.
METHODS: Related literatures were searched in PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, WanFang, VIP and CNKI from January 2005 to July 2020, with the key words of “blood flow restriction or exercise or therapy; KAATSU training; sarcopenia; senile sarcopenia; motor function; mechanism; muscular strength’’ in English and Chinese, respectively. Eventually, 50 articles that met the criteria were included.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The blood flow restriction therapy, especially in combination with exercise, can increase muscle strength and muscle volume in sarcopenia patients suffering few less adverse reactions. Blood flow restriction therapy may play a role by increasing the rate of protein synthesis and degradation in muscle tissues, elevating the level of mitochondrial energy metabolism and improving the level of tissue microcirculation. However, the mechanism of blood flow restriction therapy is still controversial and needs further verification. For senile sarcopenia patients, doctors should focus on blood flow occlusion pressure and exercise load, because there is no clear exact safety conclusion.


Key words: blood flow restriction therapy, senile sarcopenia, sports exercise, muscle strength, review

CLC Number: