Optimizing Hypoalgesia and Thigh Hypertrophy via Neuromuscular Taping and Blood Flow Restriction in ACL Rehabilitation
Abstract
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury commonly results in persistent knee pain, quadriceps weakness, and thigh muscle atrophy, all of which may delay functional recovery. Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) exercise enables muscular adaptation under low mechanical loads, while Neuromuscular Taping (NMT) may contribute to pain modulation and local tissue decompression. Combining these modalities may therefore provide a complementary rehabilitation strategy for improving pain tolerance and thigh muscle size. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combined NMT and BFR exercise on hypoalgesia and thigh circumference during ACL rehabilitation. Methods: A quantitative quasi-experimental study with a one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted involving 31 participants. The intervention consisted of 12 sessions over three months. BFR exercise was performed at approximately 80% Limb Occlusion Pressure and included quadriceps sets, straight-leg raises, mini-squats, and leg presses, followed by NMT using a decompressive double-fan technique over the anterior knee. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while thigh size was evaluated through circumference measurement 15 cm proximal to the midpoint of the patella. Data were analyzed using SPSS with Wilcoxon signed-rank and paired-samples t-tests. Results: Mean VAS scores decreased significantly from 6.84 ± 0.82 to 2.77 ± 0.76, with a mean reduction of 4.06 ± 0.73 points (p < .001). Mean thigh circumference increased significantly from 50.85 ± 4.61 cm to 52.75 ± 4.40 cm, corresponding to an average increase of 1.91 ± 1.10 cm (p < .001). Conclusion: The combined NMT–BFR rehabilitation program was associated with substantial pain reduction and increased thigh circumference. These findings support its potential as a practical adjunctive strategy for ACL rehabilitation, although controlled trials are required to confirm causality and comparative effectiveness.