Virtual Reality Mindfulness Meditation After ACL Reconstruction

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL · Sep 1, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of virtual reality mindfulness meditation on women who have undergone surgery to repair their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The researchers want to see if this virtual reality program can help reduce fear related to their injury, improve their jumping and landing techniques, and enhance brain activity. The study is focused on women aged 14 to 25 years who are currently 1 to 5 years post-surgery and have reported feelings of fear about their injury and difficulties with jump-landing movements.

To participate, women need to be right-handed, have had a left-side ACL surgery, and be able to follow MRI guidelines. They should not have any significant neurological conditions or recent concussions, and they must not be pregnant or using certain medications. If eligible, participants can expect to be part of a study comparing the virtual reality meditation to a placebo (sham) group, which means they will be involved in activities designed to help them feel more comfortable and confident after their surgery. This trial aims to provide valuable insights into how virtual reality can support recovery after an ACL injury.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Female
• • Ages 14-25 years
• • Have self-reported levels of fear on the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11
• • Have poor jump-landing movement quality as measured by the Landing Error Scoring System-Real Time
• • Injured their knee playing or training for sports (recreational or organized)
• • Right-hand dominant
• • 6 months to 10-years post-ACLR
• • Demonstrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compliance
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Male
• • Concussion in the past 3 months
• • Presence of metal fragments, pins, plates, or clips, shrapnel, permanent makeup, body piercings that cannot be removed, surgical implants, or orthodontics that cannot be removed
• • On any medication that affects the central nervous system
• • Any neurological conditions (i.e. epilepsy)
• • Claustrophobia
• • Under the influence of alcohol or other recreational drugs
• • Pregnancy or suspicion of pregnancy