Movement-related fear after ACL reconstruction: general kinesiophobia versus task-specific sport fear

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

The trial compares responses to neutral images, nocive images, and imagined performance of feared movements to distinguish general kinesiophobia from task-specific fear in ACL reconstruction patients. Researchers will measure motor behavior and gait complexity alongside autonomic responses such as heart rate variability and skin conductance and collect questionnaire data including the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. The goal is to see whether task-specific protocols better capture the movement fears that limit rehabilitation and return to sport. All participants must speak Portuguese, be 18–35 years old, have sustained a sport-related ACL injury followed by ACL reconstruction, be under rehabilitation, and have started jump-landing tasks.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* The patient must have given their informed consent and signed the consent form.
* The patient must have enough comprehension of the Portuguese language to complete the written questionnaires.
* The patient must have suffered an ACL injury, with or without a history of concomitant meniscal pathology, while playing or training for sport (recreational or organized).
* The patient must have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.
* The patient must be between 18 and 35 years old.
* The patient must still be under medical care/rehabilitation due to the ACL injury.
* The patient must have started jump landing tasks.

Exclusion Criteria:

* The subject has a history of repeated ACLR.
* The subject has not injured the ACL while playing sports.
* The subject presents a concurrent psychiatric disorder
* The subject has a history of heart disease and/or peripheral vascular disease and/or metabolic disease and/or Raynaud´s Syndrome.
* The subject is taking any medications known to affect heart rate or blood pressure
* The subject is currently a smoker.

Where it's running

• Clínica de Fisioterapia Egas Moniz
  Caparica, Almada, Portugal Recruiting
• Egas Moniz School of Health & Science
  Almada, Monte Da Caparica, Portugal Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Vanessa B Alpalhão, MSc
• Email: vanessaluisa@hotmail.com
• Phone: 965844339

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Focused shock wave therapy to help recovery after ACL surgery

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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.