The Impact of Superimposed Vibration on the Recovery of Muscle Strength and Function Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery

Restoring muscle strength following knee ligament reconstruction (of the anterior cruciate ligament, ACL) is a major challenge for the functional success of rehabilitation. Despite advances in rehabilitation protocols, many patients still experience persistent strength deficits several months after surgery. Current rehabilitation strategies rely primarily on neuromuscular training programs aimed at restoring maximum strength and joint range of motion. However, these approaches exhibit significant interindividual variability and do not always fully resolve persistent muscle inhibition. In this context, local vibration appears to be a promising tool. This project aims to evaluate the benefits of repeated application of local vibration superimposed on muscle strengthening exercises (recovery of quadriceps strength, single-leg balance, quadriceps power, perception of effort and pain, knee range of motion) performed during the first six weeks of post-ligamentoplasty rehabilitation. The underlying hypothesis is that the addition of sensory stimulation via vibration, superimposed on rehabilitation exercises, could facilitate muscle activation and, ultimately, accelerate the functional recovery of the quadriceps.The expected results could help validate the use of this approach as a standardized tool within post-ACL rehabilitation protocols, by promoting faster muscle recovery and reducing the duration of functional disability.

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Key information

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

The primary objective of this single-center, prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled, two-arm interventional study is to evaluate the effect of local vibration applied during muscle strengthening exercises on quadriceps strength recovery during postoperative rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The secondary objectives of this study are to evaluate the effect of applying vibration superimposed on muscle contraction on single-leg balance, quadriceps power, perceived exertion and pain, as well as on knee range of motion and muscle symmetry during the 6 weeks of postoperative rehabilitation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Men or women who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (using the Kenneth Jones method or a hamstring graft) on the right or left leg
Be between the ages of 18 and 45
Be enrolled in or eligible for a social security program
Have signed an informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

Patients who have previously undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Patients not currently under care at the Dracy-le-Fort Orthopedic Center
Patients with chronic sensorimotor disorders
Patients who have previously undergone ligament reconstruction on the knee currently being operated on
Patients undergoing surgery more than one year after a cruciate ligament rupture
Pregnant women, women in labor, or breastfeeding women
Individuals subject to legal protection measures (judicial protection, guardianship, or conservatorship)
Individuals deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative order
Individuals receiving psychiatric care
Individuals subject to a period of exclusion for another study
Non-consenting subjects who cannot give consent, or cannot return for scheduled visits as per the protocol

Treatment and study plan

Vibramoov, Techno Concept, Mane, France

Device

Local vibration superimposed on muscle contraction (SLV) is delivered using a dedicated device (Vibramoov, Techno Concept, Mane, France), which bears the CE mark (European Medical Devices Directive, Class IIa) and is designed and manufactured in accordance with ISO 13485: 2016.

No device

Other

No device applied on quadriceps

Primary outcomes

Assessment of Quadriceps Strength Recovery During Postoperative Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, With or Without Local Vibration Superimposed on Muscle Strengthening Exercises

Time frame: Before surgery and after 6 weeks of rehabilitation

Measurement of changes in strength, with or without vibrations applied to the quadriceps during rehabilitation sessions.

Quadriceps strenght will be measured by the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC): maximum force (kg) while seated.

A quadriceps warm-up will begin with progressive isometric contractions, consisting of ten knee-extension contractions of the injured leg, ranging from light to strong intensity depending on the patient's perception. Following this, the patient will perform two 5-second maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) in extension, separated by 1-minute recovery periods, to measure quadriceps strength.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Centre orthopédique de Dracy-le-Fort

Other

Registry information

Acronym: VIBRA-LCA

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2027
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Apr 29, 2026
Registry last updated: Apr 29, 2026

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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