Brain-computer visualization training to improve muscle activation after orthopedic surgery

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Adults who have had ACL reconstruction, total hip or knee arthroplasty, or hip arthroscopy receive standard post-surgical rehabilitation and are assigned either to usual therapy alone or to usual therapy plus neurofeedback visualization training. The neurofeedback uses an EEG cap while patients imagine specific movements and a computer displays a virtual avatar performing those movements in real time to provide visual feedback. The intervention is delivered alongside routine physical therapy sessions and muscle activation and functional recovery measures will be tracked over the postoperative course. The study aims to reduce arthrogenic muscle inhibition that can limit strength and mobility after these procedures.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Participants

* Inclusion Criteria:

  * Patient age \>18 years
  * Ability to complete neurofeedback training and follow study follow-ups
  * Indicated for one of the four investigated orthopedic procedures
* Exclusion Criteria:

  * Inability to participate in neurofeedback training
  * Lack of decisional capability
  * History of stroke, movement disorder (e.g. Parkinson's), peripheral neuropathy
  * Cardiac pacemaker or other internal electronic device
  * BMI \>35
  * Previous surgery or specific pathology on the affected joint (refer to procedure specific indications below)

Procedure Specifics:

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) Procedure-specific Inclusion Criteria

* Patients undergoing primary ACLR with autograft or allograft tissue
* Adjunct lateral Extra-articular tenodesis will be included
* Additional meniscus debridement and repair will be included Procedure-specific exclusion criteria
* Revision ACL surgery
* Moderate to Severe arthritis - Kellgren-Lawerence (KL) Grade \> 3
* Patients with meniscus root repair
* Non-weight-bearing status exceeding 1 week postoperatively

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) Procedure specific inclusion criteria

* Patients undergoing primary TKA
* Preoperative total knee range of motion of at least 100 degrees (combined flexion and extension)
* Prior extensor mechanism tendon repair, quadriceps or patella tendon. Procedure specific exclusion criteria
* Revision surgery
* Hinged implant
* Any open procedure involving the knee joint
* Symptomatic arthritis in the contralateral knee with planned or expected total knee arthroplasty within 6 months
* Inflammatory Arthritis

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) Procedure Specific Inclusion Criteria

* Patients undergoing primary THA Procedure Specific Exclusion Criteria
* Revision Surgery
* Any open procedure involving the hip joint
* Bilateral THA procedures
* Inflammatory Arthritis

Hip arthroscopy (HA) for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) Procedure Specific Inclusion Criteria

· Patients undergoing HA for FAIS Procedure Specific Exclusion Criteria

* Revision Surgery
* Diagnosis of hip dysplasia

Where it's running

• Rush University Medical Center
  Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jorge Chahla, MD, PhD — Rush University Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Brian Forsythe, MD
• Email: Brian.forsythe@rushortho.com
• Phone: 708-236-2782

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.