Neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction shows preliminary effects on abductor hallucis muscle size and toe flexor strength: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Eur J Appl PhysiolJun 29, 2026 (epub)
Kazunori Okamura, Shoma Uehara, Naotaka Nagamune et al.
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In 30 seconds
This pilot randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) on the abductor hallucis (ABH) muscle size and toe flexor strength in 30 participants. The NMES + BFR group demonstrated a significant increase in ABH cross-sectional area (CSA) compared to the NMES-only group, with an adjusted mean difference of 0.19 cm² (p = 0.001).
Key findings
- The NMES + BFR group had a greater post-intervention ABH CSA than the NMES group (0.19 cm², p = 0.001).
- Toe flexor strength favored the NMES + BFR group but was not statistically significant (1.83 kg, p = 0.061).
- The NMES + BFR group showed lower post-intervention FPI-6 scores than the NMES group (-1.59 points, p = 0.001).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that combining NMES with BFR may enhance muscle size in the abductor hallucis, which could be beneficial for rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving foot function and strength.