NCT06910150

Effectiveness of a Session of Analgesic Electrostimulation (Invasive and Non-invasive) Applied to the Quadriceps Muscle in Patients After Knee Surgery.

Immediate Effectiveness of a Single Session of Analgesic Electrostimulation on the Femoral Quadriceps in Patients After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universidad de Murcia · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most prevalent injuries in the musculoskeletal system. Consequently, its surgical reconstruction is among the most commonly performed procedures in current clinical practice. The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate if the application of a single session of electrical currents to the quadriceps muscle can reduce pain in individuals who have undergone ACL surgery. Additionally, the trial will assess whether this intervention increases the pressure pain threshold, mobility, strength and functionality of the operated knee, as well as improving the participant's quality of life. Effusion and edema of the operated knee will also be measured. Participants in this clinical trial will be randomly assigned to three study groups: one control group and two experimental groups. All participants will undergo a conventional physiotherapy program for knee rehabilitation. This program includes manual therapy with a physiotherapist and exercises aimed at strengthening the CORE, hip and knee muscles. Participants in the first experimental group will receive an additional session of superficial (non-invasive) electrical currents applied to the quadriceps muscle of the operated knee. Participants in the second experimental group will receive an additional session of invasive electrical currents applied to the quadriceps muscle of the operated knee. Each patient will be assessed four times: before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 1 and 7 days post-intervention. Functionality of the operated knee and quality of life will only be assessed before the intervention and 7 days post-intervention using self-reported scales.

Conditions

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Non-invasive analgesic electrostimulation	A single session of non-invasive analgesic electrostimulation is applied to the motor points of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles of the quadriceps femoris in patients who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A biphasic, symmetrical, square-wave current is used at a frequency of 100 Hz, a pulse width of 200 μs, and an intensity adjusted to the patient's pain threshold, applied for 30 minutes.
PROCEDURE	Invasive analgesic electrostimulation	A single session of invasive analgesic electrostimulation is applied to a motor point of the vastus medialis of the quadriceps femoris in patients who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A biphasic, symmetrical, square-wave current is used at a frequency of 100 Hz, a pulse width of 250 μs, and an intensity defined as perceptible to the patient but never painful (200 μA above the detection threshold for each subject).

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-02-18
• Primary completion: 2025-02-18
• Completion: 2026-02-25
• First posted: 2025-04-04
• Last updated: 2025-12-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain