Using mental imagery to enhance recovery after ACL surgery
Official title: The Effect of Motor Imagery as an Additional Tool During the Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by University Ghent · NCT05168033 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is testing if adding mental imagery training to regular rehab helps people recover better after ACL surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Ghent Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ghent) |
| Trial ID | NCT05168033 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and are participating in rehabilitation at the sports physiotherapy department of Ghent University Hospital.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with neurological, musculoskeletal, or cognitive disorders that could interfere with motor imagery training may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the impact of motor imagery training as an adjunct to standard rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving classic rehabilitation or an experimental group that includes motor imagery training at three specific intervals during recovery. The training involves watching videos of rehabilitation exercises and mentally visualizing performing them, aimed at enhancing recovery outcomes. Participants will undergo a series of screenings to assess their progress throughout the rehabilitation process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve recovery times and outcomes for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of motor imagery in rehabilitation is a growing area of interest, this specific approach in ACL recovery is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction * Rehabilitation at the sports physiotherapy department of the Ghent University Hospital Exclusion Criteria: * Neurological disorders or diseases that could affect motor imagery training * Musculoskeletal or cognitive disorders that interfere with the normal function of the lower extremities
Where it's running
-
Ghent University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Ghent, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Erik Witvrouw, Prof. dr. — Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University
- Study coordinator: Sander Denolf
- Email: sander.denolf@ugent.be
- Phone: +32498400463
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Quadriceps tendon vs peroneus longus tendon grafts for ACL reconstruction
This randomized trial tests whether using a quadriceps tendon autograft works as well as a peroneus longus tendon autograft for ACL reconstruction in adults, looking at knee function and donor-site effects.
-
Immersive multisensory action observation and motor imagery for children and young adults with cerebral palsy and typical development
This pilot will test whether adding sound and touch to action observation and motor imagery increases mirror-neuron system activation in children and young adults with cerebral palsy and in typically developing peers.
-
Proprioceptive exercises to aid recovery after ACL surgery
This trial will see if adding proprioceptive exercises to standard balance training helps people aged 20–40 during the early rehab period after ACL surgery.
-
Mental imagery to improve arm and hand skills in Parkinson's
This trial will test whether guided mental imagery exercises can help people with Parkinson's improve arm and hand movement and dexterity.
-
Near-infrared imaging to see how motor imagery affects recovery after spinal cord injury
This trial will test whether a motor-imagery brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) can help adults with recent cervical-to-thoracic spinal cord injuries improve motor function and change brain activity measured by fNIRS and EEG.
-
All-inside versus complete tibial tunnel ACL reconstruction using hamstring grafts
This trial will test whether the all-inside or the complete tibial tunnel surgical technique leads to better recovery in adults (18–65) having ACL reconstruction with hamstring grafts.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.