Importance: Blood flow restriction (BFR) training, the process of low-load exercise while a tourniquet or cuff restricts blood flow to a limb, can be a valuable tool in athletics and rehabilitation. Understanding the benefits and mechanisms is crucial for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes.

Objective: This secondary research review evaluates various rehabilitation outcomes derived from BFR use in different clinical and athletic settings.

Methods: Existing literature was found through PubMed and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials, pilot studies, and case studies published after 2010. Orthopedic, diseased, and comorbid populations were included. The exclusion criteria were studies that required payment and those not in English. The extraction and analysis of data revealed 4 key themes: muscle strength and hypertrophy, pain management, rehabilitation efficiency, and functional recovery.  

Results: A total of 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Blood flow restriction training was found to increase muscle strength and hypertrophy, decrease pain, shorten recovery time, and improve patient function. Blood flow restriction results in improved or equivalent gains compared to traditional methods, supporting the efficacy of blood flow restriction training.

Conclusion: As suggested by the search of literature, blood flow restriction training is an efficacious rehabilitation tool to improve patient outcomes. Future research should include longitudinal studies with increased size and variance in population to explore the long-term effects of blood flow restriction training and improve generalizability. 

Key words: Blood flow restriction, hypertrophy, vascular occlusion, pain management, rehabilitation efficiency, functional recovery.