Neuromuscular Effects of Spinal Manipulation in Individuals Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of spinal manipulation on neuromuscular control in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during a single-leg vertical drop landing task. The intervention group will receive spinal manipulation, while the control group will not receive any therapeutic intervention. The main question it aims to answer is:

• Can spinal manipulation induce changes in muscle activation, co-contraction magnitude, and biomechanical parameters during landing?

Completed

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Key information

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Age range

18 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), School of Health of Polytechnic of Porto

Porto, Porto District, 4200-604, Portugal

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Individuals who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Successful return to recreational sports participation

Exclusion criteria

Peripheral or central neurological disorders
Systemic or degenerative diseases
History of spinal surgery
Contraindications to spinal manipulation
Low back or sacroiliac pain within the previous month
Prior exposure to manipulative therapy

Treatment and study plan

Spinal manipulation

Procedure

The spinal manipulation will target the sacroiliac joint using the global pelvic manipulation technique. Participants will be positioned in lateral decubitus with the ACL-reconstructed limb placed uppermost. The therapist will apply progressive rotation and flexion at the hip and knee joints to increase tissue tension. To establish contact, the therapist's knee will be placed against the participant's flexed knee. A high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust will then be delivered to optimize joint motion, with cavitation being monitored throughout the procedure.

Primary outcomes

Co-contraction Index

Time frame: Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and 10 minutes post-intervention.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Neuromuscular Effects of Spinal Manipulation in Individuals Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Jun 24, 2025
Registry last updated: Jun 27, 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.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed