BFR After Bicep Tenodesis
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03437239 |
Recruitment Status : Unknown
Verified February 2018 by Griffin Holauchock, Brooke Army Medical Center.
Recruitment status was: Not yet recruiting
First Posted : February 19, 2018
Last Update Posted : February 19, 2018
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Shoulder Pain Bone Mineral Density Muscle Strength | Device: Delfi PTS II Portable Tourniquet System | Not Applicable |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 56 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Supportive Care |
Official Title: | Blood Flow Restriction Training After Bicep Tenodesis: A Pilot Study |
Estimated Study Start Date : | February 2018 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | January 2020 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | January 2020 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Occlusion Training
Patients undergoing a biceps tenodesis that are expected to begin a rehabilitation protocol with strength training by 6 weeks postoperatively for a continued 12 weeks course of 2-3 times per week of occupational therapy to include occlusion training.
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Device: Delfi PTS II Portable Tourniquet System
This is a portable tourniquet system that allows for occlusion of venous outflow without inhibiting arterial blood flow. This portable tourniquet system allows for rapid cuff inflation and deflation with a battery. The Delfi PTS is a purpose-built system that allows for precise control of pressure throughout training, despite the natural changes in muscle shape and length. The device has advanced pressure leak detection that monitors the tourniquet cuff, tubing, and connectors for air leaks and safely alerts staff to hazards or follow-up actions required. The device has visual and audio alarms for over and under pressure and elapsed time as well as a large, easily visible display of tourniquet pressure and elapsed time. The Delfi PTS II calibrates and self-tests on startup. It has a safety interlock that limits the normal maximum pressure and integrated tourniquet cuff testing as recommended in current AORN Standards and Recommended Practices |
No Intervention: Non-occlusion Training
Patients undergoing a biceps tenodesis that are expected to begin a rehabilitation protocol with strength training by 6 weeks postoperatively for a continued 12 weeks course of 2-3 times per week of occupational therapy without occlusion training (standard of care).
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- Operative Forearm Bone Density [ Time Frame: 24 weeks ]Bone Density will be measured using the GE Lunar Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (iDXA) device maintained and operated by the Nuclear Medicine clinic at SAMMC in accordance with the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) Best Practices for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry guidance
- Total Body Bone Density [ Time Frame: 24 weeks ]Bone Density will be measured using the GE Lunar Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (iDXA) device maintained and operated by the Nuclear Medicine clinic at SAMMC in accordance with the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) Best Practices for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry guidance
- Elbow Flexion Strength [ Time Frame: 18 weeks ]Elbow Flexion Strength will be assessed using the BTE PrimusRS dynamometer after the completion of the rehabilitation protocol, approximately 18 weeks postoperative. The patient will be seated with a lap belt to perform testing, to include isokinetic measurements of elbow flexion and forearm supination. The patient will perform 3 trials of one repetition on both the operative forearm and the contralateral arm of both elbow flexion and supination. The PrimusRS will generate a number of pounds of force used, which will be averaged for each side and used for analysis to represent strength. The BTE PrimusRS has been validated for measuring strength and used in numerous studies for various joints and movements to include elbow flexion and forearm supination
- Forearm Supination Strength [ Time Frame: 18 weeks ]Forearm Supination Strength will be assessed using the BTE PrimusRS dynamometer after the completion of the rehabilitation protocol, approximately 18 weeks postoperative. The patient will be seated with a lap belt to perform testing, to include isokinetic measurements of elbow flexion and forearm supination. The patient will perform 3 trials of one repetition on both the operative forearm and the contralateral arm of both elbow flexion and supination. The PrimusRS will generate a number of pounds of force used, which will be averaged for each side and used for analysis to represent strength. The BTE PrimusRS has been validated for measuring strength and used in numerous studies for various joints and movements to include elbow flexion and forearm supination
- Grip Strength [ Time Frame: 18 weeks. ]Grip strength will be assessed using the JAMAR Hand Dynamometer. It has been selected for use in this study as per the recommendation by the American Society for the Surgery of the Hand and American Society of Hand Therapists ASHT) as the tool of choice to measure grip strength. Studies have shown that the JAMAR dynamometer has high instrument and test-retest reliability. Grip strength will be tested according to the testing position and procedure recommended by the ASHT. The mean of three successive trials will be recorded. There are established normative data for grip strength by both age and hand dominance.
- Femoral Neck Bone Density [ Time Frame: 24 weeks ]Bone Density will be measured using the GE Lunar Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (iDXA) device maintained and operated by the Nuclear Medicine clinic at SAMMC in accordance with the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) Best Practices for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry guidance
- Lumbar Spine Bone Density [ Time Frame: 24 weeks ]Bone Density will be measured using the GE Lunar Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (iDXA) device maintained and operated by the Nuclear Medicine clinic at SAMMC in accordance with the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) Best Practices for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry guidance
- Pain [ Time Frame: 24 weeks ]An 11-point verbal Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (Appendix F) will be used to assess the subject's upper extremity pain the day of each assessment as well as during therapy sessions. The 0 to 10 NRS has been found to be valid and reliable in many patient populations including the musculoskeletal population [64] and has been recommended for inclusion in the core NIH Toolbox for use with adults
- Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [ Time Frame: 24 weeks ]The QuickDASH consists of 11 items that measure physical function and symptoms in musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb. The QuickDASH includes two optional scales to assess a patient's function with work activities as well as sports or playing an instrument. The QuickDASH is scored in two components: the 11-item disability section where each item is scored 1-5, and the optional work and sport/music modules. This study will only use the disability section. Respondents indicate the amount of difficulty they have performing the items (1=no difficulty, 6=unable). Scores are summed and averaged and the value is transformed to a score out of 100 by subtracting one and multiplying by 25. A higher score indicates greater disability. The QuickDASH has been validated and shown to be reliable when compared to the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand
- Functional Scale [ Time Frame: 24 weeks ]The Patient Specific Functional Scale is a patient-specific outcome measure to assess functional status. The patient is asked to identify three to five activities that he or she has difficulty performing due to his or her condition. The patient then rates the amount of limitation he or she has in performing each of these activities on an 11-point scale with 0 being unable to perform the activity and 10 being able to perform the activity with no problem. An average score for the activities gives an ability score out of 10. The PSFS has been shown to be valid and responsive in the upper extremity musculoskeletal patient population

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Selected to undergo a unilateral bicep tenodesis
- Males and females age 18-65
- DoD beneficiaries
- Must be able to read and write in English in order to consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Contralateral upper extremity involvement resulting in less than normal range of motion, muscle strength, or daily pain greater than 1/10.
- Rehabilitation protocol with prohibited muscle strengthening greater than 6 weeks post-operation.
- Current metallic implants that contraindicate or significantly affect the sensitivity of DEXA scan
- Current implanted defibrillator or pacemaker
- Pregnancy - per patient self-report. Due to the expected small number of pregnant individuals and resulting inability to account for its effect on resulting outcomes, these patients will not be included in this study.
- Recent history of deep vein thrombosis within the 12 months or on active treatment with anticoagulants
- Currently taking medications that are known to affect bone density to include heparin, warfarin, glucocorticoids, medroxyprogesterone acetate, cancer treatment medications, bisphosphonates or other osteoporosis treatment medications, and thyroid hormone.
- History of hyperparathyroidism
- History of upper quadrant lymph node dissection
- Patient endorsement of easy bruising
- History of an upper extremity amputation
- Active infection in the operative extremity
- Cancer (current diagnosis per medical record)

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03437239
Contact: Griffin M Holauchock, M.S. | 210-916-2270 | griffin.m.holauchock.mil@mail.mil |
Responsible Party: | Griffin Holauchock, Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Certified Resident, Brooke Army Medical Center |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03437239 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
C.2018.019 |
First Posted: | February 19, 2018 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | February 19, 2018 |
Last Verified: | February 2018 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.: | No |
Bicep tenodesis |
Shoulder Pain Arthralgia Joint Diseases |
Musculoskeletal Diseases Pain Neurologic Manifestations |