Brain-Computer Interface Visualization Training to Optimize Muscle Activation Following Orthopaedic Surgery

Launched by RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · Jun 5, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help patients recover after certain orthopedic surgeries, like knee or hip replacements. After surgery, some patients have difficulty activating their muscles, which can slow down their recovery. This study is testing a special brain training technique called neurofeedback visualization training. Participants will receive standard physical therapy, but half of them will also wear a cap that tracks their brain activity while they imagine doing exercises. This cap sends signals to a computer that shows a virtual character performing the movements, helping patients visualize and improve their muscle engagement, much like a video game.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be over 18 years old and scheduled for one of four surgeries: anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, or hip arthroscopy. They should be able to participate in the training and follow-up visits. The study will take place at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, enrolling 240 adults, with each participant being monitored for up to six months after their surgery. The aim is to see if this combination of brain training and physical therapy can help patients recover faster and improve their movements in daily life.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Participants
• * Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patient age \>18 years
• • Ability to complete neurofeedback training and follow study follow-ups
• • Indicated for one of the four investigated orthopedic procedures
• * Exclusion Criteria:
• • Inability to participate in neurofeedback training
• • Lack of decisional capability
• • History of stroke, movement disorder (e.g. Parkinson's), peripheral neuropathy
• • Cardiac pacemaker or other internal electronic device
• • BMI \>35
• • Previous surgery or specific pathology on the affected joint (refer to procedure specific indications below)
• Procedure Specifics:
• • Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) Procedure-specific Inclusion Criteria
• • Patients undergoing primary ACLR with autograft or allograft tissue
• • Adjunct lateral Extra-articular tenodesis will be included
• • Additional meniscus debridement and repair will be included Procedure-specific exclusion criteria
• • Revision ACL surgery
• • Moderate to Severe arthritis - Kellgren-Lawerence (KL) Grade \> 3
• • Patients with meniscus root repair
• • Non-weight-bearing status exceeding 1 week postoperatively
• • Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) Procedure specific inclusion criteria
• • Patients undergoing primary TKA
• • Preoperative total knee range of motion of at least 100 degrees (combined flexion and extension)
• • Prior extensor mechanism tendon repair, quadriceps or patella tendon. Procedure specific exclusion criteria
• • Revision surgery
• • Hinged implant
• • Any open procedure involving the knee joint
• • Symptomatic arthritis in the contralateral knee with planned or expected total knee arthroplasty within 6 months
• • Inflammatory Arthritis
• • Total hip arthroplasty (THA) Procedure Specific Inclusion Criteria
• • Patients undergoing primary THA Procedure Specific Exclusion Criteria
• • Revision Surgery
• • Any open procedure involving the hip joint
• • Bilateral THA procedures
• • Inflammatory Arthritis
• • Hip arthroscopy (HA) for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) Procedure Specific Inclusion Criteria
• • · Patients undergoing HA for FAIS Procedure Specific Exclusion Criteria
• • Revision Surgery
• • Diagnosis of hip dysplasia