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Blood Flow Restriction Training After ACL Reconstruction in Adolescents

This study is investigating if adding Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) to standard physical therapy helps adolescents recover better after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery. BFRT uses a special device, the Delfi Personalized Tourniquet System, during exercise to safely regulate blood flow. Researchers want to see if this combination improves strength, muscle size (hypertrophy), and how patients feel about their recovery compared to standard physical therapy alone. You might be able to join if you are 12 to 18 years old, play sports regularly (over 50 hours/year of Level I or II sports), and are having ACL reconstruction surgery. The study will measure your knee's range of motion and strength at different times over nine months to see if the BFRT helps.

Study design
This is a randomized controlled trial, meaning participants will be randomly assigned to either receive BFRT with physical therapy or standard physical therapy. The study plans to enroll 40 adolescents.
What's involved
You would participate in physical therapy, with one group also using the Delfi Personalized Tourniquet System. Your range of motion and strength will be measured before surgery and at 3, 6, and 9 months post-surgery.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 9 months after their ACL reconstruction surgery.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05754632

The Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Training in Adolescents After ACL Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Recruiting
NAAges 12–18InterventionalTreatment
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
~40 participants
Updated 2026-01-07 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Blood Flow Restriction using Delfi Personalized Tourniquet System

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Range of Motion
Measured over Change in range of motion at Pre-op, 3 months post-op, 6 months post-op, 9 months post-op
+8 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Knee Injuries
Quadriceps Muscle Atrophy

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NCT05754632

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Connecticut Children's Sports Physical Therapy

    Farmington, Connecticutstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Adam Weaver, PT, DPT · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Physical Therapist

Who to contact

Adam P Weaver, PT, DPT
[email protected]
8602840296 · ext. 79296
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Prior to surgery participated in \>50 hours/year of level I or II sports as defined by Noyes et al and planned to return to prior level.
Level II sports (1-3 days/week) Jumping, hard pivoting, cutting (basketball, volleyball,football, soccer, gymnastics, skiing. wrestling)
Completion of postoperative rehabilitation following standard protocols
Orthopedic surgical intervention and physical therapy completed at Connecticut Children's.

Exclusion

An additional lower extremity injury at time of knee injury or previous surgical intervention on the knee (ipsilateral and contralateral)
Multiple ligament ruptures or trauma
Weight bearing restrictions for greater than 4 weeks after surgery due to concomitant pathology such as meniscal root/radial repair, chondral pathology, or multi-ligament pathology
Follow-up surgical procedures including, but not limited to, post-operative arthrofibrosis Inability to attend regular physical therapy sessions (≥80% of patient treatment sessions and all assessment visits
Contraindications to performing BFRT including known history of central or peripheral neurologic impairments, cardiac or metabolic condition or history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

What this trial measures

  • Range of MotionChange in range of motion at Pre-op, 3 months post-op, 6 months post-op, 9 months post-op

    Active knee range of motion: Knee AROM will be measured in supine position using a goniometer and standardized procedures reported by Norkin and White

  • Isometric Quad strength Peak TorqueChange in strength at Pre-op, 3 months post-op, 6 months post-op, 9 months post-op

    Isometric strength testing to measure peak torque quadriceps strength (unit: ft-lbs) as reported by isokinetic dynamometer on involved and uninvolved limb.

  • Isometric Quadriceps Strength limb symmetry indexChange in strength at Pre-op, 3 months post-op, 6 months post-op, 9 months post-op

    Quadriceps limb symmetry index is calculated by taking the values from outcome 1. \[ ( peak torque quadriceps involved limb (ft/lbs)/ peak torque quadriceps uninvolved limb (ft-lbs))\*100\] as reported by isokinetic dynamometer. This value is expressed as a percentage. 100% would equal perfect symmetry.

  • Isometric Hamstring Strength Peak TorqueChange in strength at Pre-op, 3 months post-op, 6 months post-op, 9 months post-op

    Isometric strength testing to measure peak torque hamstring strength (unit: ft-lbs) as reported by isokinetic dynamometer on involved and uninvolved limb.

  • Isometric Hamstring Strength Limb Symmetry IndexChange in strength at Pre-op, 3 months post-op, 6 months post-op, 9 months post-op

    Hamstring limb symmetry index is calculated by taking the values from outcome 3 \[ ( peak torque hamstring involved limb (ft/lbs) / peak torque hamstring uninvolved limb (ft-lbs))\*100\] as reported by isokinetic dynamometer. This value is expressed as a percentage.100% would equal perfect symmetry.

  • Isokinetic Quadriceps strengthChange in strength at 6 months and 9 months post-op

    Isokinetic strength testing to measure peak torque quadriceps strength (unit: ft-lbs) as reported by isokinetic dynamometer on involved and uninvolved limb.

  • Isokinetic Quadriceps Strength limb symmetry indexChange in strength at 6 months and 9 months post-op

    Quadriceps limb symmetry index is calculated by taking the values from outcome 1. \[ ( peak torque quadriceps involved limb (ft/lbs)/ peak torque quadriceps uninvolved limb (ft-lbs))\*100\] as reported by isokinetic dynamometer. This value is expressed as a percentage. 100% would equal perfect symmetry.

  • Isokinetic Hamstrings StrengthChange in strength at 6 months and 9 months post-op

    Isokinetic strength testing to measure peak torque hamstring strength (unit: ft-lbs) as reported by isokinetic dynamometer on involved and uninvolved limb.

  • Isokinetic Hamstring Strength limb symmetry indexChange in strength at 6 months and 9 months post-op

    Hamstring limb symmetry index is calculated by taking the values from outcome 1. \[ ( peak torque quadriceps involved limb (ft/lbs)/ peak torque quadriceps uninvolved limb (ft-lbs))\*100\] as reported by isokinetic dynamometer. This value is expressed as a percentage. 100% would equal perfect symmetry.