Proprioceptive Training for Gait and Knee Function After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
NCT ID: NCT07268651
Last Updated: 2025-12-08
Study Results
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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NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NA
30 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-12-31
2026-04-30
Brief Summary
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This study aims to investigate the effects of a 12-week proprioceptive training program on gait performance and knee function in patients who have undergone ACLR. Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will undergo baseline assessments, including gait analysis and knee function tests. They will then participate in a structured 12-week proprioceptive training program as part of their rehabilitation, followed by post-intervention assessments using the same measures.
The primary outcomes include changes in gait performance, such as walking speed, step length, cadence, support time, knee motion, and knee joint angles and moments during walking. Secondary outcomes include changes in knee function, including isokinetic muscle strength, joint position sense, and patient-reported outcomes measured by the Lysholm score and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaire. The findings from this study may help to clarify the functional benefits of proprioceptive training and support the development of more targeted and effective rehabilitation strategies for patients recovering from Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
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Detailed Description
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This study aims to examine the effects of a structured 12-week proprioceptive training program on gait performance and knee function in individuals following ACLR. Participants who meet the eligibility criteria will undergo baseline assessments that include gait analysis, knee range of motion, muscle strength evaluation, joint position sense testing, and patient-reported functional outcomes. After baseline testing, participants will be assigned to one of two groups. The control group will receive a standard rehabilitation program, while the proprioceptive training group will receive the same standard rehabilitation combined with an additional proprioceptive training program.
The standard rehabilitation program is adapted from the Massachusetts General Brigham Sports Medicine ACLR Rehabilitation Protocol, with minor modifications to accommodate available equipment and safety considerations. The 12-week rehabilitation process is divided into four progressive phases (Phase I: 0-2 weeks, Phase II: 3-5 weeks, Phase III: 6-8 weeks, and Phase IV: 9-12 weeks), focusing on graft protection, restoration of knee range of motion, quadriceps activation, and gradual strengthening and functional progression.
The proprioceptive training protocol is adapted from previously validated progressive exercise programs that use unstable surfaces such as Swiss balls and BOSU balls to improve gait performance and knee joint function. Participants in the proprioceptive training group will train three times per week for a total of 12 weeks. The progression of exercises follows three phases (initial: weeks 1-5, intermediate: weeks 5-8, and advanced: weeks 8-12) and includes balance, coordination, and neuromuscular control activities. All sessions are supervised by a physiotherapist, and progression to the next level is allowed only when balance control is stable and exercises can be performed without pain or adverse symptoms.
The primary outcomes of this study focus on gait performance, including measures such as walking speed, step length, cadence, support time, and knee peak flexion and extension angles and moments, as well as knee range of motion during walking. Secondary outcomes include changes in knee function, such as isokinetic muscle strength, joint position sense accuracy, and patient-reported scores using the Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaires.
The results of this study may provide a better understanding of the role of proprioceptive training in improving functional recovery after ACLR. By identifying its effects on gait mechanics and knee function beyond standard rehabilitation alone, this research may support the development of more targeted and effective rehabilitation strategies for individuals recovering from ACL injuries.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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Control Group
Participants in this arm will receive a standard rehabilitation program adapted from the Massachusetts General Brigham Sports Medicine Anterior cruciate ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Protocol. The rehabilitation sessions will be conducted twice per week. The 12-week program is delivered in four progressive phases focusing on graft protection, restoration of knee range of motion, quadriceps activation, balance, and strengthening exercises. No additional proprioceptive training will be provided in this arm.
Standard Rehabilitation
A standard rehabilitation program adapted from the Massachusetts General Brigham Sports Medicine Anterior cruciate ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Protocol. The program consists of supervised rehabilitation sessions conducted twice per week for 12 weeks. The protocol includes four progressive phases focusing on graft protection, restoration of knee range of motion, quadriceps activation, balance training, and progressive strengthening exercises. No proprioceptive training components are included in this intervention.
Proprioceptive Training Group
Participants in this arm will receive a structured 12-week proprioceptive training program in addition to the standard rehabilitation protocol. The proprioceptive training is adapted from validated progressive exercise programs using Swiss balls and BOSU balls, and includes balance, coordination, and neuromuscular control exercises. Training sessions are supervised by a physiotherapist and performed three times per week. The progression follows three stages (initial: weeks 1-5, intermediate: weeks 5-8, advanced: weeks 8-12), with advancement allowed only when exercises can be performed with adequate balance control and without pain.
Standard Rehabilitation
A standard rehabilitation program adapted from the Massachusetts General Brigham Sports Medicine Anterior cruciate ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Protocol. The program consists of supervised rehabilitation sessions conducted twice per week for 12 weeks. The protocol includes four progressive phases focusing on graft protection, restoration of knee range of motion, quadriceps activation, balance training, and progressive strengthening exercises. No proprioceptive training components are included in this intervention.
Proprioceptive Training
A structured 12-week proprioceptive training program performed in addition to standard rehabilitation. The program is adapted from validated progressive proprioceptive exercise protocols using Swiss balls and BOSU balls. Training sessions are supervised by a physiotherapist and conducted three times per week. Exercises progress through three stages (initial: weeks 1-5, intermediate: weeks 5-8, and advanced: weeks 8-12) and include balance, coordination, and neuromuscular control activities. Participants advance to the next level only when exercises can be performed with adequate balance control and without pain.
Interventions
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Standard Rehabilitation
A standard rehabilitation program adapted from the Massachusetts General Brigham Sports Medicine Anterior cruciate ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Protocol. The program consists of supervised rehabilitation sessions conducted twice per week for 12 weeks. The protocol includes four progressive phases focusing on graft protection, restoration of knee range of motion, quadriceps activation, balance training, and progressive strengthening exercises. No proprioceptive training components are included in this intervention.
Proprioceptive Training
A structured 12-week proprioceptive training program performed in addition to standard rehabilitation. The program is adapted from validated progressive proprioceptive exercise protocols using Swiss balls and BOSU balls. Training sessions are supervised by a physiotherapist and conducted three times per week. Exercises progress through three stages (initial: weeks 1-5, intermediate: weeks 5-8, and advanced: weeks 8-12) and include balance, coordination, and neuromuscular control activities. Participants advance to the next level only when exercises can be performed with adequate balance control and without pain.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* At least 3 weeks postoperatively and currently engaged in the early-stage rehabilitation phase following ACLR.
* Demonstrate near-full passive knee extension (≤ 5° loss) and at least 90° of passive knee flexion in the operated limb.
* Able to walk independently without assistive devices and perform basic functional tasks (e.g., normal walking, single-leg stance).
* No prior surgery or major injury to the contralateral knee or other lower limb joints.
* No neurological, vestibular, or systemic conditions affecting proprioception, motor control, or physical performance.
* Not currently participating in any structured proprioceptive or neuromuscular training programs.
* Willing and able to comply with the intervention protocol and follow-up, and able to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
* Meniscal repair or other intra-articular procedures that restrict knee range of motion beyond 3 weeks postoperatively.
* Diagnosed osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other chronic joint diseases affecting the lower limbs.
* Significant injury, surgery, or persistent pain in the contralateral knee, hip, ankle, or spine that could interfere with training or gait.
* History or current diagnosis of neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease) or vestibular dysfunction.
* Any cardiopulmonary or systemic condition that contraindicates structured physical exercise.
* Participation in other structured rehabilitation or proprioceptive training programs within the past 3 weeks.
* Cognitive impairment or psychiatric conditions that may interfere with understanding instructions or complying with the protocol.
18 Years
40 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Universiti Sains Malaysia
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Shazlin Shaharudin
Associate Professor
Principal Investigators
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Shazlin Shaharudin, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Locations
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Leshan Vocational College
Leshan, Sichuan, China
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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Other Identifiers
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USM/JEPeM/KK/25030296
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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