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NCT Number: NCT07291765

Blood Flow Restriction Training in Acute Geriatric Rehabilitation

Background: Older adults have a reduced ability to build and maintain muscle mass due to age-related changes in the muscular system. The resulting sarcopenia can lead to a number of health problems and limitations, such as an increased risk of falling and reduced mobility, which can affect quality of life and increase the risk of disease. To increase muscle mass and strength, high-intensity resistance training with loads of 70 to 85% of the repetition maximum (1RM) is recommended. However, this type of training poses a major challenge in the rehabilitation sector, as there is also an increased risk of injury due to physical limitations in old age. According to current research, low-intensity occlusion training could therefore represent a safe and effective training alternative. The aim of this study is therefore to examine the feasibility and effects of blood flow restriction training (BFR) on general health in older adults in a rehabilitative setting.

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Key information

Conditions

Sarcopenia in Elderly

Age range

65 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

St. Marien-Hospital Köln

Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, 50668, Germany

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Alexander Franz, Dr. med., B.Sc.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+491703750718

About this study

The study is a randomized controlled trial with a pre-post design. Participants will be recruited from the of St. Marien Hospital Geriatric Rehabilitation Center in Cologne, Germany. Patients will be randomized into 2 groups. The intervention group will receive BRF training on a stationary cycling ergometer five times a week over a period of two weeks, while the control group will receive sham-BFR training.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults >65 years with a two week hospitalized acute rehabilitation after a fracture closed to the hip joint

Exclusion criteria

  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Iatrogenic changes of the vessels at the place of the tournqiuet application (e.g. Stents)

Treatment and study plan

Stationary Bike + Blood-Flow-Restriction

Device

Cycling Intensity individualized + 60% LOP

Stationary Bike + Sham-Blood-Flow-Restriction

Device

Cycling Intensity individualized + 20mmHg

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Pre-Rehabilitation to Post-Rehabilitation (after 2 weeks)

    Isometric Maximal Strength Test of the Knee Extensors (in kg)

  2. Timed Up and Go Test

    Time frame: Pre-Rehabilitation to Post-Rehabilitation (after 2 Weeks)

    The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) is a widely used English-language assessment for measuring functional mobility and fall risk in older adults. It records the time required to stand up from a chair, walk three meters, turn around, and sit down again.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Alexander Franz, Dr. med., B.Sc.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+491703750718

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Bonn

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Blood Flow Restriction Training in Acute Geriatric Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Its Effects and Safety in Hospitalized Older Adults.

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Dec 18, 2025
Registry last updated
May 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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