A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy and Retro Walking on Pain, Strength of Muscles and WOMAC Score in Patients of Osteoarthritis of Knee

Aim: To assess the impact of blood flow restriction and retro walking in knee osteoarthritis subjects.

Study Design: It was a comparative study. All the participants who meet inclusion criteria gave a written consent and were allocated to Group A or Group B randomly by chit method and the pre and post test scores were derived. The scores obtained in the two groups were compared and the results were derived.

Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted in musculoskeletal sciences division, RNPC Sawangi, Wardha, for 12 months

Methodology: A total of 150 samples were chosen. Using the chit method, they were divided into two groups at random, Group A and Group B. Blood Flow Restriction Training was given to Group A, while retro walking training was given to Group B. The training lasted 15 days. After 15 days, the pain, strength, and WOMAC score were tested again.

Result: Out of 150 patients 75 were placed in each group, where p=.0001. Significant increase was seen in mean of group I and II in pre ad post-test NPRS score, Quadricep and hamstrings muscle strength and WOMAC score. Analysis showed significant improvement in both the groups.

Conclusion: Both the interventions included in this study, have been shown to help individuals with osteoarthritis reduce pain, enhance strength, and improve their WOMAC score. Both the interventions are easy to practice and can be easily performed by the older population. When these two interventions were compared blood flow restriction therapy was proved to be better than retro walking.