Study of Blood Flow Restriction and Cognitive-Motor Dual Task Training to Improve Strength, Gait, and Balance in People With Subacute Stroke

Overview

This study aims to evaluate the effects of individualized blood flow restriction (BFR) training combined with cognitive-motor dual task intervention on lower limb muscle strength, gait ability, and fall stability in patients with subacute stroke. A total of 28 participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group (BFR + dual task training) or the control group (dual task only). The intervention will last for 5 weeks, with training sessions conducted three times per week, each lasting 40 minutes. The primary outcome is lower limb strength measured by the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test. Secondary outcomes include gait ability (10-Meter Walk Test and Functional Gait Assessment) and fall stability (Timed Up and Go Test and Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International). This study seeks to verify whether combining low-pressure BFR training (40% of arterial occlusion pressure) with dual task training can be a clinically effective strategy for improving motor and cognitive function in individuals with subacute stroke.

Subacute stroke is defined as the period between 7 days and 6 months after stroke onset, a critical window during which neuroplasticity and functional recovery are highly active. During this phase, individualized and task-specific interventions can enhance motor recovery. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a promising low-load exercise modality that induces physiological effects similar to high-intensity training by restricting venous return using a proximal cuff. Studies suggest that BFR training at 40% of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) can safely stimulate muscle hypertrophy and strength, particularly in populations with limited exercise capacity, such as stroke survivors. Additionally, dual task training, which combines motor and cognitive tasks, has been shown to improve executive function and gait performance by increasing prefrontal cortex activity. While each approach has independent benefits, the combination of peripheral muscle activation through BFR and central stimulation via cognitive-motor dual tasks may provide synergistic effects on functional recovery. This randomized controlled trial will compare an intervention group receiving BFR training (40% AOP) with concurrent dual task gait training to a control group performing the same cognitive-motor dual tasks without BFR. Both groups will train three times per week for 5 weeks. Outcome measures will assess changes in lower limb strength, gait ability, and fall stability before and after the intervention. The study also addresses safety and standardization concerns in BFR application by using pulse oximeter-based AOP measurement protocols. By providing evidence on the efficacy and safety of combining BFR and dual-task training in subacute stroke rehabilitation, this study aims to contribute to the development of individualized, clinically applicable intervention strategies.