The Effect of PEMF for Patients With Quadriceps Muscle Weakness After ACLR

NCT ID: NCT05184023

Last Updated: 2023-12-15

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

80 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-09-01

Study Completion Date

2025-09-01

Brief Summary

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In Hong Kong, over 3000 Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions (ACLR) are performed each year in order to restore knee function after an ACL injury. The ultimate goal of ACLR is to fulfil the return-to-play (RTP) criteria. Despite successful surgery and a demanding rehabilitation process, some athletes still fail to comply to RTP. For those who achieve RTP, 23% of those who return to their sports would suffer a second ACL injury.

Quadriceps muscle strength is one of the key determinants for a patient's successful return- to-play after ACLR. Quadriceps muscle atrophy can persist beyond the completion of the rehabilitation program in almost half the patients and the reason behind this is still unknown. Therefore, there is need to find a more effective way to increase quadriceps strength.

There are emerging evidences showing that pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) can modulate mitochondrial activities for muscle gain. PEMF exposure on top of regular exercise training may promote muscle regeneration and tissue healing.

This study aims to conduct a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of PEMF treatment during the late postoperative period on quadriceps muscle strength in ACL injured patient. Muscle endurance could only be investigated in late postoperative period. The investigators hypothesize that PEMF treatment is effective to reduce muscle weakness and promote gain in quadriceps muscle strength in ACLR patients.

Based on the aim of this study, adult patients (aged 18-30) with a unilateral ACL injury, total quadriceps muscle volume is equal or morn than 7% deficit on involved leg compared with uninvolved leg, sporting injury with a Tegner score of 7+, both knees without a history of injury/prior surgery will be recruited. To estimate the improvement of patients, Isokinetic muscle assessment, ultrasound imaging and MRI for quadriceps muscle thickness, self-reported outcomes with questionnaires, KT-1000 for knee laxity and biomechanical analysis, Xtreme CT for Bone mineral density will be performed.

To investigate the mechanism of PEMF therapy on increasing quadriceps strength, samples of blood serum will be draw before and after intervention.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Quadriceps Muscle Atrophy

Keywords

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Pulsed electromagnetic field PEMF Quadricep Strength ACL ACLR

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants will be assigned into either treatment group or sham group.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators
It is doubled blinded, a subject 's specific ID card will be provided for each of the enrolled subject and the investigators don't know whether it is PEMF or Sham treatment for that subject's specific ID card. And the investigator will ask the manufactory about the number of grouping at the end of the study.

Study Groups

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Treatment group

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Pulse Electromagnetic Field

Intervention Type DEVICE

Subjects will receive PEMF treatment with the duration of 8 weeks, twice a week with total 16 treatment sessions.

Sham group

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham Pulse Electromagnetic Field

Intervention Type DEVICE

Subjects will receive sham PEMF treatment with the duration of 8 weeks, twice a week with total 16 treatment sessions.

Interventions

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Pulse Electromagnetic Field

Subjects will receive PEMF treatment with the duration of 8 weeks, twice a week with total 16 treatment sessions.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sham Pulse Electromagnetic Field

Subjects will receive sham PEMF treatment with the duration of 8 weeks, twice a week with total 16 treatment sessions.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Aged 18-50 with a unilateral ACL injury
2. Sporting injury with a Tegner score of 7+
3. LSI for quadriceps strength \<70% of the contralateral leg at 4 months post-up
4. Both knees without a history of injury/prior surgery

Exclusion Criteria

1. Ages smaller than 18 years old or greater than 50 years old
2. Any concomitant bone fracture, major meniscus injury or full-thickness chondral injuries requiring altered rehabilitation program post-op
3. Preoperative radiographic signs of arthritis
4. Metal implants that would cause interference on MRI
5. Non-HS graft for ACLR
6. Patient non-compliance to the rehabilitation program
7. Pregnancy or possibility of pregnancy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Chinese University of Hong Kong

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Prof. Tim-Yun Michael ONG

Clinical Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Michael Tim-Yun Ong

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Locations

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The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, , Hong Kong

Site Status

Countries

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Hong Kong

References

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Ong MT, Man GC, Lau LC, He X, Qiu J, Wang Q, Chow MC, Choi BC, Yu M, Yung PS. Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field as an intervention for patients with quadriceps weakness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a double-blinded, randomized-controlled trial. Trials. 2022 Sep 12;23(1):771. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06674-2.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 36096886 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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2021.332

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id