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

Launched by MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY · Feb 27, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Mental Imagery to Improve Quadriceps Strength Post ACLR: a Feasibility Study," is exploring whether mental imagery exercises can help strengthen the leg of people recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. The main focus is to see if participants can stick to a five-day schedule of mental imagery exercises while undergoing physical therapy, and if these exercises can actually boost their leg strength. The researchers will also compare different types of mental imagery exercises, like imagining doing leg extensions or squats, to see which might be more effective.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be recovering from ACL surgery and actively participating in physical therapy. They should be between the ages of 65 and 74, and cannot have had their surgery more than nine months ago or have certain medical conditions that could interfere with the study. If they join, participants will attend two testing sessions to measure their leg function and will complete about 10 minutes of mental imagery exercises each day for five days at home, noting their progress. This study is currently recruiting participants, and it could provide valuable insights into new ways to aid recovery after ACL surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• 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