Reduction of risk factors for ACL Re-injuries using an innovative biofeedback approach: A phase I randomized clinical trial

Effectiveness of psychological intervention following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of psychological interventions in postoperative anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) compared to standard rehabilitation.

METHODS

The databases searched were PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, and EMBASE were searched from each database inception to May 2023 for published studies. The methodological quality was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment (RoB 2.0) tool. The evidence quality was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

RESULTS

Six papers were included in the meta-analysis. Psychological intervention significantly improved Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia at 3 months (Standard Mean Difference [SMD], -0.51. 95% Confidence Interval [CI], -0.85 to -0.17) and pain (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Pain, Numeric Rating Scale, Visual Analog Scale) at 3 months (SMD, -0.92. 95%CI, -1.69 to -0.15) and at 6 months following ACLR (MD, -1.25. 95%CI, -1.82 to -0.68) when compared with the standard rehabilitation, according to very low-quality data. Self-efficacy and knee strength did not show significant differences.

CONCLUSION

Very low-quality evidence suggests that psychological intervention following ACLR yields better short-term outcomes compared to standard rehabilitation, with uncertainty about its clinically significant benefits over standard rehabilitation.

Anterior-Posterior Center of Pressure Is Associated With Knee Extensor Moment During Landing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

CONTEXT

A reduced knee extensor moment (KEM) in the involved limb and asymmetry in the KEM during landing tasks are observed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). There is limited information about the association of kinetic and kinematic parameters with the KEM during landing after ACLR. This study investigated the association of the anterior-posterior center of pressure (AP-COP) position, vertical ground reaction force (VGRF), and lower limb joint angles with the KEM during landing in female athletes following ACLR.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Twenty-two female athletes who underwent ACLR performed a drop vertical jump at 7.9 (1.7) months after surgery. We evaluated the KEM, AP-COP position, VGRF, and sagittal plane hip, knee, and ankle angles using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system with force plates.

RESULTS

The peak KEM in the involved limb was significantly smaller than that in the uninvolved limb during landing (1.43 [0.33] N·m/kg/m vs 1.84 [0.41] Nm/kg/m, P = .001). The VGRF in the involved limb was significantly smaller than that in the uninvolved limb (11.9 [2.3] N/kg vs 14.6 [3.5] N/kg, P = .005). The limb symmetry index of the KEM was predicted by that of the VGRF (P < .001, R2 = .621, β = 0.800). The KEM was predicted by the AP-COP position in the involved limb (P = .015, R2 = .227, β = 0.513) and by the VGRF in the uninvolved limb (P = .018, R2 = .213, β = 0.500). No significant correlation was noted between the KEM and the lower limb joint angles.

CONCLUSIONS

The AP-COP position and VGRF were associated with the KEM during landing. Evaluating the VGRF and AP-COP position, not the lower limb joint angles, may contribute to understanding the KEM during double-leg landing after ACLR in the clinical setting.

Why Sports Should Embrace Bilateral Asymmetry: A Narrative Review

(1) Background: Asymmetry is ubiquitous in nature and humans have well-established bilateral asymmetries in their structures and functions. However, there are (mostly unsubstantiated) claims that bilateral asymmetries may impair sports performance or increase injury risk. (2) Objective: To critically review the evidence of the occurrence and effects of asymmetry and sports performance. (3) Development: Asymmetry is prevalent across several sports regardless of age, gender, or competitive level, and can be verified even in apparently symmetric actions (e.g., running and rowing). Assessments of bilateral asymmetries are highly task-, metric-, individual-, and sport-specific; fluctuate significantly in time (in magnitude and, more importantly, in direction); and tend to be poorly correlated among themselves, as well as with general performance measures. Assessments of sports-specific performance is mostly lacking. Most studies assessing bilateral asymmetries do not actually assess the occurrence of injuries. While injuries tend to accentuate bilateral asymmetries, there is no evidence that pre-existing asymmetries increase injury risk. While training programs reduce certain bilateral asymmetries, there is no evidence that such reductions result in increased sport-specific performance or reduced injury risk. (4) Conclusions: Bilateral asymmetries are prevalent in sports, do not seem to impair performance, and there is no evidence that suggests that they increase injury risk.