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Effects of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Muscle Inhibition After ACL Reconstruction
Sponsor: University of Lahore
Summary
This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on arthrogenic muscle inhibition in athletes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Participants will be allocated into two groups: a control group receiving standard physical therapy and an experimental group receiving standard physical therapy combined with anodal tDCS over the primary motor cortex (M1). The tDCS intervention will be delivered at 2 mA for 20 minutes, three times per week for four weeks, immediately before supervised physiotherapy. The study will assess quadriceps muscle strength, arthrogenic muscle inhibition, neuromuscular control, and subjective knee function at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks. The study aims to determine whether adding anodal tDCS to standard rehabilitation improves outcomes following ACL reconstruction.
Official title: Effects of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition in Athletes Following ACL Reconstruction
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
15 Years - 45 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
64
Start Date
2026-11
Completion Date
2027-02
Last Updated
2026-10-09
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) will be administered using a CE/FDA-approved constant-current tDCS device. Stimulation will be delivered at 2 mA for 20 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week, immediately before supervised physiotherapy, for 4 weeks (12 sessions). The anode will be placed over the contralateral primary motor cortex (M1) quadriceps representation (C3 for the right leg and C4 for the left leg), using the international 10-20 system, while the cathode will be positioned over the contralateral supraorbital region.
Standard Physical Therapy
Standard physical therapy for 8 weeks, 1 hour per day, 3 times per week, for a total of 24 sessions.