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NCT Number: NCT06797102

Comparative Effects of Neuromuscular Training Vs Close Chain Exercises in Athletes With Post Operative ACL Injury

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of close chain exercises and neuromuscular training on pain, range of motion, strength and endurance in athletes with post operative ACL injury The study will be randomized control trial with the sample size of 36. Subjects will be enrolled according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients will be divided into two groups, each with 18 patients. Group A will receive Neuromuscular training while Group B will receive Close chain exercises. The participants will receive treatment sessions over 6-week period. The treatment session will be of 60 minutes with a warm up and cool down period of 10 minutes. Outcome measures in both groups will be assessed by International Knee Documentation Committee Evaluation Form. Score for function, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, Goniometer to measure range of motion, single leg hop, squats, triple jump test, push ups for strength and endurance respectively.

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Key information

Conditions

Sports Physical Therapy Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Bahawal Victoria Hospital

Bahawalpur, Punjab Province, 63100, Pakistan

About this study

Objective of my study is to compare the effects of Neuromuscular Training vs Close Chain Exercises on pain, range of motion, strength and endurance in athletes with post operative ACL injury

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Athletes aged 18 to 35 years
  • 6-9 months after ACL reconstruction
  • Athletes who sustained unilateral ACL injury treated surgically
  • Athletes returning to sports
  • minimal to no knee effusion
  • normal knee range of motion
  • Willing to take post-operative exercise program

Exclusion criteria

  • History of lower extremity fractures surgery or traumatic injuries
  • Neuromuscular disease
  • Systemic disease
  • Patients who had history of prior knee surgery were excluded

Treatment and study plan

Neuromuscular Exercises

Other

Patients in this group received a neuromuscular training protocol along with general treatment for 10 minutes. This included hot packs, lumbar stretches, and ergonomic posture correction divided over 6 weeks The exercises performed included squatting, single leg stance, and balance reach leg and arm exercises with 10 repetitions each. They also did lunge exercises with five repetitions bilaterally, step up and down exercises with 10 repetitions, single leg standing on a balance mat with 10 repetitions and a 10-second hold, single board exercises, and single leg stance with weights and eyes closed for five minutes with a 10-second hold. Additionally, they stood on a wobble board with eyes closed five times with a 10-second hold. The protocol included running on a treadmill and trampoline for five minutes per day, running figure-of-eight patterns, and agility drills at a slow speed for five minutes each.

Close Chain Exercises

Other

Patients in this group received closed chain exercises for core strengthening along with general treatment for 10 minutes, including hot packs, lumbar stretches, and ergonomic posture correction, divided over 6 weeks. The exercises included sets of squats, lunges, leg presses, wall squats, standing heel raises on a single leg, and single leg dead lifts. Each treatment session lasted 60 minutes, incorporating a warm-up and cool-down period of 10 minutes.

Primary outcomes

  1. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form

    Time frame: 6 months

    The IKDC Questionnaire is a subjective scale that provides patients with an overall function score. The questionnaire looks at 3 categories: symptoms, sports activity, and knee function. The symptoms subscale helps to evaluate things such as pain, stiffness, swelling and giving-way of the knee. The IKDC Subjective Knee Form has been validated in Dutch and Italian as well as English.

  2. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

    Time frame: 6 months

    The 11-point numeric scale ranges from '0' representing one pain extreme (e.g. "no pain") to '10' representing the other pain extreme.

  3. Goniometer:

    Time frame: 6 months

    The range of motion is the measurement of movement around a specific joint or body part. To measure the range of motion, doctors, osteopaths, physical therapists, or other health professionals most commonly use a goniometer, which is an instrument that measures angle motion at a joint.

  4. Functional Strength Tests

    Time frame: 6 months

    Functionality testing following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can benefit clinicians and patients in determining readiness for return to sport. The goals of testing following ACL reconstruction are to determine the strength of the muscles surrounding the knee, primarily the quadriceps and hamstrings, and evaluate knee stability and functionality through comparing the involved leg with the noninvolved leg.

    • Single Leg Hop
    • Test Single Leg Squat
    • Triple Hop Test
    • Treadmill
    • Cycling
    • Push up test (27)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Acronym: NMTvsCC-ACL

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jan 28, 2025
Registry last updated
Feb 21, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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