Effects of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Exercise on Rectus Femoris Muscle Morphology in Individuals With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination, axonal degeneration, and progressive functional impairment. Individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) frequently experience reductions in lower-extremity muscle strength, impaired walking performance, fatigue, and decreased physical function. Among lower-extremity muscles, the rectus femoris (RF) plays a critical role in knee extension, gait performance, and functional mobility. Previous studies have demonstrated associations between RF muscle morphology, muscle performance, and mobility outcomes in individuals with MS. Blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise involves the application of external pressure to the proximal portion of a limb during low-load exercise. By partially restricting arterial inflow and substantially reducing venous return, BFR creates a hypoxic and metabolically stressful environment within the exercising muscle. This physiological stimulus promotes early recruitment of fast-twitch motor units and may enhance anabolic signaling pathways despite the use of relatively low exercise loads. Consequently, BFR has emerged as a promising rehabilitation strategy for populations that may not tolerate high-intensity resistance training. Although preliminary evidence suggests that BFR is feasible and safe in people with MS, existing studies have primarily focused on functional outcomes, and the effects of BFR on muscle morphology remain unclear. Furthermore, no randomized controlled trial has investigated rectus femoris muscle morphology as a primary outcome using a three-arm design incorporating both sham-BFR and exercise-only control conditions. This study is designed as a prospective, parallel-group, three-arm randomized controlled trial. Thirty individuals with RRMS aged 18-65 years and an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 2.5 and 3.5 will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: 1. Low-load exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR). 2. Low-load exercise with sham blood flow restriction. 3. Low-load exercise without blood flow restriction (control). All groups will participate in an identical supervised exercise program twice weekly for eight weeks (16 sessions total). Exercise sessions will include a standardized warm-up period, quadriceps-focused strengthening exercises, cycling exercise, and cool-down/stretching activities. The only systematic difference between groups will be the cuff condition applied during the strengthening component. In the BFR group, individualized arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) will be determined using a pneumatic cuff system, and exercise will be performed at 50-60% of AOP. In the sham-BFR group, cuffs will be applied in the same location but inflated to a pressure insufficient to produce meaningful vascular occlusion. The control group will perform the same exercise program without cuff application. Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline and after completion of the intervention. The primary outcome will be rectus femoris muscle thickness measured by ultrasonography. Secondary outcomes will include rectus femoris echo intensity, knee extensor muscle strength, Timed 25-Foot Walk performance, Nine-Hole Peg Test performance, Symbol Digit Modalities Test scores, and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale scores. The study is expected to provide novel evidence regarding the effectiveness of low-load BFR exercise for improving muscle morphology and related functional outcomes in individuals with RRMS. In addition, the inclusion of a sham-BFR condition will allow differentiation between the physiological effects of blood flow restriction and potential placebo or expectancy effects associated with cuff application.