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Interventions to Enhance Quadriceps Output After ACLR
Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Summary
The investigators are interested in determining what treatments are effective in reducing inhibition after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and helping people increase quadriceps strength. Two interventions that are often used clinically are neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and vibration. This is a study of how effective these treatments are, whether they work the same for everyone, and if one is better than the other. 22 participants will be enrolled and on study for 2 to 3 weeks.
Official title: Clinical Interventions to Acutely Enhance Quadriceps Output After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 40 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
22
Start Date
2026-09
Completion Date
2027-08
Last Updated
2026-09-10
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
NMES
The thigh of the surgical leg will be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol. 2.75" x 5" NMES electrodes (Dura-Stick Plus, Chattanooga, DJO Global, Dallas, TX) will be adhered to the proximal and distal aspects of the quadriceps muscles. An FDA-approved portable neuromuscular electrical stimulator (Empi Continuum, DJO Global, Dallas, TX) will be utilized to deliver a biphasic square wave pulse (frequency 75 Hz, pulse width 300 µs) to the quadriceps of the surgical limb. Participants will control both the amplitude of current delivered (0-100 mA) and the on/off timing of the stimulation via a wired control switch. Participants will complete common post-ACLR rehabilitation exercises while NMES is delivered (total time for exercises is approximately 20 minutes).
Vibration
Participants will sit in a comfortable position on a treatment plinth with knees flexed to \~30°, hips flexed between 30-60°, and the back supported. The back of the thighs will rest on the vibration pads of a commercial vibration device (Thumper Versa Pro Massager, (Thumper Massager Inc., Markham, Ontario, CA). Participants will sit at rest for 20 minutes while the vibration device provides a 30 Hz vibration with an amplitude of \~6 mm.
Locations (1)
UW Health
Madison, Wisconsin, United States