NCT07058467

Anterior Cruciate Ligaments: Studying Updates in neuroCognition After Knee Manipulation

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study will investigate whether knee joint manipulation can improve neurocognitive and neuromuscular performance in individuals with a history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Recruitment will consist of 30 participants aged 18-35 who are 4 months to 5 years post-ACLR and demonstrate measurable reaction time delays. Using a within-subject pre-post design, participants will complete a battery of neurocognitive and neuromuscular assessments, including visuomotor reaction time and dual-task hop testing, before and after knee joint manipulation(s). The main questions the investigators aim to address are: Aim 1: Evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and applicability of integrating knee joint manipulation into post-ACLR rehabilitation using the Implementation and Outcomes Framework. Aim 2: Determine preliminary efficacy of knee joint manipulation on neurocognitive performance in individuals with ACLR.

Conditions

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Joint Manipulation	A joint manipulation is defined as a manual treatment by a clinician that uses controlled force to improve joint function. For the purpose of this study, the terms manipulation and mobilization may be used interchangeably. The knee joint is specifically defined as the tibiofemoral articulation for the purpose of this study. All knee joint manipulation in this study will coincide with grade III or IV manipulations. This category coincides with evidence that mobilizations at or above grade III has the greatest impact on somatosensation and are most likely to produce a positive effect on neurocognitive function. Joint manipulation(s) will be delivered with a vector corresponding to the functional deficits found with manual joint palpation and will only occur with the involved ACLR knee. If both knees have experienced an ACL injury, the most recently injured knee will be manipulated.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-01
• Primary completion: 2026-05-31
• Completion: 2026-05-31
• First posted: 2025-07-10
• Last updated: 2025-09-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States