Mental Imagery to Improve Quadriceps Strength Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: a Feasibility Study

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

• Registration Number: NCT06858293
• Lead Sponsor: Marquette University

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to understand if people recovering from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery will complete mental imagery training and if this will improve their injured leg's strength. The main questions are:

* Will people complete a five-day mental imagery exercise schedule while in physical therapy for ACLR?

* Does mental imagery exercise help raise leg strength during ACLR recovery? Researchers will also compare if different mental imagery exercises involving leg extension or squats will change leg strength.

Participants will be asked to:

* Participate in two testing sessions to make measurements of leg function

* Complete about 10 minutes of mental imagery exercises once per day for five days at home and write down whether they complete the exercises.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-02
• Study Start: 2025-02-14
• Study First Submitted: 2025-02-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-02-27
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-05
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-10
• Primary Completion: 2026-01-28
• Study Completion: 2026-01-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

• post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery
• cleared to participate in physical therapy
• currently in physical therapy related to ACLR

Exclusion Criteria

• greater than 9 months post ACLR surgery
• history of lower back of hip pain that would limit lower limb motor testing
• current neurological condition that limits muscle strength
• history of substance abuse in the last 5 years
• any uncontrolled medical condition
• inability to follow 2-step commands

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Feasibility of Intervention	Once per day for 5 days	At the end of the paper packet with instructions for mental imagery exercises, there will be a survey in which participants will record whether or not they have completed the exercises. They will be instructed to fill out this form each day even if they have not done the exercise. Investigators will assess how many days participants complete the exercises.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Knee Extension Strength	Pre and post 5 days of mental imagery intervention	Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) of the knee extensors will be conducted while the participant is seated in a Biodex Dynamometer and secured with waist and trunk straps. This will involve the participant kicking as hard as they can over 2-5 seconds. Participants will be verbally encouraged to achieve maximal force, and they will be able to see a monitor with visual instruction. Participants will be provided at least 60 seconds of rest between trials, and 5 trials will be performed. If the fifth trial produces a force more than 5% greater than any other trial, additional trials may be performed.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Marquette University; 🇺🇸 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States