The purpose of this study is to examine if the changes in corticospinal function that accompany ACL reconstruction can be improved through a form of mental coaching and encouragement, known as operant conditioning.
It is theorized reduced corticospinal excitability contributes to quadriceps dysfunction after knee injury and joint disease. Current rehabilitation does not directly target the alterations in corticospinal excitability, which may limit recovery. Operant conditioning is an emerging approach capable of increasing corticospinal excitability by directly targeting the corticospinal pathways. However, it remains to be determined whether operant conditioning of the corticospinal pathway may improve corticospinal function after knee trauma. Therefore, this study will evaluate the ability of operant up-conditioning of the corticospinal pathway to improve corticospinal function after ACL reconstruction.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
22
Active encouragement and feedback to increase motor evoked response during stimulation.
Absence of active encouragement and feedback to increase motor evoked response when stimulated.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Changes in corticospinal excitability
Corticospinal excitability will be measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation at baseline and post-intervention and will be compared between groups.
Time frame: Baseline (before the start of the intervention) and post-intervention (approximately 2 weeks after baseline)
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