Anterior Cruciate Ligament ReconstructionNCT06858293
Mental Imagery to Improve Quadriceps Strength Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: a Feasibility Study
A study testing Mental Imagery Open Chain and Mental Imagery Closed Chain in people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, run by Marquette University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to understand if people recovering from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery will complete mental imagery training and if this will improve their injured leg's strength. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
- What is being tested?
- Mental Imagery Open Chain and Mental Imagery Closed Chain
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 14 Feb 2025to 28 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery
- cleared to participate in physical therapy
- currently in physical therapy related to ACLR
Who cannot join
- greater than 9 months post ACLR surgery
- history of lower back of hip pain that would limit lower limb motor testing
- current neurological condition that limits muscle strength
- history of substance abuse in the last 5 years
- any uncontrolled medical condition
- inability to follow 2-step commands
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233
About this study
Official title: Mental Imagery of Open and Closed Chain Exercises to Improve Quadriceps Strength Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: a Feasibility Study
The goal of this clinical trial is to understand if people recovering from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery will complete mental imagery training and if this will improve their injured leg's strength. The main questions are:
- Will people complete a five-day mental imagery exercise schedule while in physical therapy for ACLR?
- Does mental imagery exercise help raise leg strength during ACLR recovery? Researchers will also compare if different mental imagery exercises involving leg extension or squats will change leg strength.
Read more
Participants will be asked to:
- Participate in two testing sessions to make measurements of leg function
- Complete about 10 minutes of mental imagery exercises once per day for five days at home and write down whether they complete the exercises.
- Being tested
- Mental Imagery Open Chain, Mental Imagery Closed Chain
- Keywords
- Mental Imagery, knee, strength, physical therapy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mental Imagery Open ChainBehavioural
Participants will receive a paper packet with instructions to imagine themselves performing seated maximal leg extension exercises. They will be instructed to imagine the feeling of the exercise for 5 seconds, rest for 5 seconds, and repeat this 50 times with a 2-minute rest period after the 25th repetition. They will also be asked to keep track of the exercises with tallies on a table within the packet and also to record on this table if they did not complete the exercises for that day. The participant is asked to perform the exercises on five consecutive days.
Mental Imagery Closed ChainBehavioural
Participants will receive a paper packet with instructions to imagine themselves performing maximal standing squat exercises. They will be instructed to imagine the feeling of the exercise for 5 seconds, rest for 5 seconds, and repeat this 50 times with a 2-minute rest period after the 25th repetition. They will also be asked to keep track of the exercises with tallies on a table within the packet and also to record on this table if they did not complete the exercises for that day. The participant is asked to perform the exercises on five consecutive days.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Imagery Open Chain | Experimental | Participants will receive a paper packet with instructions to imagine themselves performing seated maximal leg extension exercises. They will be instructed to imagine the feeling of the exercise for 5 seconds, rest for 5 seconds, and repeat this 50 times with a 2-minute rest period after the 25th repetition. They will also be asked to keep track of the exercises with tallies on a table within the packet and also to record on this table if they did not complete the exercises for that day. The participant is asked to perform the exercises on five consecutive days. Receives: Behavioral: Mental Imagery Open Chain |
| Mental Imagery Closed Chain | Experimental | Participants will receive a paper packet with instructions to imagine themselves performing maximal standing squat exercises. They will be instructed to imagine the feeling of the exercise for 5 seconds, rest for 5 seconds, and repeat this 50 times with a 2-minute rest period after the 25th repetition. They will also be asked to keep track of the exercises with tallies on a table within the packet and also to record on this table if they did not complete the exercises for that day. The participant is asked to perform the exercises on five consecutive days. Receives: Behavioral: Mental Imagery Closed Chain |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Feasibility of Intervention
At the end of the paper packet with instructions for mental imagery exercises, there will be a survey in which participants will record whether or not they have completed the exercises. They will be instructed to fill out this form each day even if they have not done the exercise. Investigators will assess how many days participants complete the exercises.
Measured: Once per day for 5 days
Secondary outcomes (1)
Knee Extension Strength
Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) of the knee extensors will be conducted while the participant is seated in a Biodex Dynamometer and secured with waist and trunk straps. This will involve the participant kicking as hard as they can over 2-5 seconds. Participants will be verbally encouraged to achieve maximal force, and they will be able to see a monitor with visual instruction. Participants will be provided at least 60 seconds of rest between trials, and 5 trials will be performed. If the fifth trial produces a force more than 5% greater than any other trial, additional trials may be performed.
Measured: Pre and post 5 days of mental imagery intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Mar 2025
- Study start14 Feb 2025
- Primary completion28 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion28 Jan 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Anterior Cruciate Ligament ReconstructionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Marquette University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06858293
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HR-4875
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 27 Feb 2025
- Last updated
- 10 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. The investigators in this study plan to publish future findings in scientific journals and/or presentations.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Mental Imagery of Open and Closed Chain Exercises to Improve Quadriceps Strength Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: a Feasibility Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06858293
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HR-4875
- Keywords
- Mental Imagery, knee, strength, physical therapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Marquette UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 14 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 28 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 28 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 5 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to understand if people recovering from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery will complete mental imagery training and if this will improve their injured leg's strength. The main questions are:
- Will people complete a five-day mental imagery exercise schedule while in physical therapy for ACLR?
- Does mental imagery exercise help raise leg strength during ACLR recovery? Researchers will also compare if different mental imagery exercises involving leg extension or squats will change leg strength.
Participants will be asked to:
- Participate in two testing sessions to make measurements of leg function
- Complete about 10 minutes of mental imagery exercises once per day for five days at home and write down whether they complete the exercises.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Imagery Open Chain | Experimental | Behavioral: Mental Imagery Open ChainParticipants will receive a paper packet with instructions to imagine themselves performing seated maximal leg extension exercises. They will be instructed to imagine the feeling of the exercise for 5 seconds, rest for 5 seconds, and repeat this 50 times with a 2-minute rest period after the 25th repetition. They will also be asked to keep track of the exercises with tallies on a table within the packet and also to record on this table if they did not complete the exercises for that day. The participant is asked to perform the exercises on five consecutive days. |
| Mental Imagery Closed Chain | Experimental | Behavioral: Mental Imagery Closed ChainParticipants will receive a paper packet with instructions to imagine themselves performing maximal standing squat exercises. They will be instructed to imagine the feeling of the exercise for 5 seconds, rest for 5 seconds, and repeat this 50 times with a 2-minute rest period after the 25th repetition. They will also be asked to keep track of the exercises with tallies on a table within the packet and also to record on this table if they did not complete the exercises for that day. The participant is asked to perform the exercises on five consecutive days. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery
- cleared to participate in physical therapy
- currently in physical therapy related to ACLR
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- greater than 9 months post ACLR surgery
- history of lower back of hip pain that would limit lower limb motor testing
- current neurological condition that limits muscle strength
- history of substance abuse in the last 5 years
- any uncontrolled medical condition
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Imagery Open ChainParticipants will receive a paper packet with instructions to imagine themselves performing seated maximal leg extension exercises. They will be instructed to imagine the feeling of the exercise for 5 seconds, rest for 5 seconds, and repeat this 50 times with a 2-minute rest period after the 25th repetition. They will also be asked to keep track of the exercises with tallies on a table within the packet and also to record on this table if they did not complete the exercises for that day. The participant is asked to perform the exercises on five consecutive days. | Behavioural | Mental Imagery Open Chain |
| Mental Imagery Closed ChainParticipants will receive a paper packet with instructions to imagine themselves performing maximal standing squat exercises. They will be instructed to imagine the feeling of the exercise for 5 seconds, rest for 5 seconds, and repeat this 50 times with a 2-minute rest period after the 25th repetition. They will also be asked to keep track of the exercises with tallies on a table within the packet and also to record on this table if they did not complete the exercises for that day. The participant is asked to perform the exercises on five consecutive days. | Behavioural | Mental Imagery Closed Chain |
Primary outcome
Feasibility of Intervention
Time frame: Once per day for 5 days
At the end of the paper packet with instructions for mental imagery exercises, there will be a survey in which participants will record whether or not they have completed the exercises. They will be instructed to fill out this form each day even if they have not done the exercise. Investigators will assess how many days participants complete the exercises.
1 secondary outcome
Knee Extension Strength
Time frame: Pre and post 5 days of mental imagery intervention
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Mar 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. The investigators in this study plan to publish future findings in scientific journals and/or presentations.
Related trials for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
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Recruiting
Graded Exposure and Mindfulness Meditation for Patients Post-ACL Reconstruction
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mental Imagery Open Chain and Mental Imagery Closed Chain in people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, run by Marquette University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Allison S Hyngstrom, PT, Ph.D. (4142884566, allison.hyngstrom@marquette.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Feasibility of Intervention (time frame: Once per day for 5 days). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Mar 2025.