NCT07243860

Neuromuscular Rehab for ACL Reconstruction: Knee Function & Brain Plasticity

The Impact of Neuromuscular Rehabilitation on Knee Function and Brain Plasticity in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Reconstruction

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Peking University Third Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study focuses on patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and reconstruction, aiming to systematically investigate the clinical efficacy and underlying mechanisms of neuromuscular training in restoring knee joint function.Beyond examining improvements in local knee biomechanics, the research delves into brain plasticity changes during rehabilitation to reveal the central regulatory mechanisms of neuromuscular control.The findings are expected to provide a solid theoretical and empirical foundation for optimizing post-ACL rehabilitation strategies, fostering interdisciplinary integration from peripheral interventions to neural central regulation.

Detailed description

In the field of sports medicine, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common yet severe sports-related condition with significant consequences. Patients exhibit considerable variation in knee functional recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Although neuromuscular training serves as an effective rehabilitation intervention, its mechanistic underpinnings remain incompletely elucidated, and the relationship between brain plasticity and functional recovery of the knee joint has not been sufficiently explored. Therefore, this study focuses on patients with ACL rupture and reconstruction, aiming to elucidate the specific mechanisms through which neuromuscular training contributes to the restoration of neuromuscular function in patients following ACL rupture and reconstruction, with particular emphasis on its effects on brain plasticity and neuromuscular control. It will systematically investigate the dynamic changes in brain functional plasticity and their underlying mechanisms throughout the rehabilitation process post-ACL injury and reconstruction. By uncovering the operational mechanisms of neuromuscular training in injury prevention and rehabilitation, this research will provide new empirical evidence to advance the theoretical framework of sports rehabilitation.

Conditions

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Neuromuscular Training	This is a structured, supervised neuromuscular training program designed to enhance sensorimotor control, strength, and functional stability of the knee joint. The program is administered by certified physical therapists and consists of three phases: 1. Preoperative Phase (6 weeks): 2. Postoperative Phase (0-12 weeks): 3. Postoperative Phase (12+ weeks): Core components include:Proprioception and Balance Training；Strength Training；Plyometrics and Dynamic Stability；Movement Pattern Re-training. Dosage:Frequency: 3 supervised sessions per week. Duration: Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes. Total Program Length: Preoperative phase (6 weeks) + postoperative phase (continued until specific functional criteria are met, approximately 12weeks post-op).
BEHAVIORAL	Conventional Rehabilitation	This arm receives the standard of care rehabilitation protocol, which mirrors the experimental group in duration, frequency, and timing but differs fundamentally in the content and specificity of the exercises. Core components include (across both pre-operative and post-operative phases): Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises;Basic Strength Training;Standard Balance Training Dosage (Identical in timing to the experimental group): Pre-operative Phase: 6 weeks of training. Post-operative Phase: Continues until standard discharge criteria are met. Frequency: 3 supervised physical therapy sessions per week. Duration: Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes. Total Program Length: Continues until standard discharge criteria are met (typically 12 weeks post-op).

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-01
• Primary completion: 2027-03-01
• Completion: 2027-03-01
• First posted: 2025-11-24
• Last updated: 2026-02-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China