Interventions to Enhance Quadriceps Output After ACLR
Clinical Interventions to Acutely Enhance Quadriceps Output After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
3 other identifiers
interventional
22
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The investigators are interested in determining what treatments are effective in reducing inhibition after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and helping people increase quadriceps strength. Two interventions that are often used clinically are neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and vibration. This is a study of how effective these treatments are, whether they work the same for everyone, and if one is better than the other. 22 participants will be enrolled and on study for 2 to 3 weeks.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at below P25 for not_applicable
Started Aug 2026
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
June 24, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
June 30, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
August 1, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
August 1, 2027
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
August 1, 2027
July 13, 2026
June 1, 2026
1 year
June 24, 2026
July 9, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Change in knee extensor peak torque production
measured pre-intervention and post-intervention during each of 2, 1-hour study visits, data collection complete within 3 weeks
Secondary Outcomes (1)
Change in knee extensor torque steadiness
measured pre-intervention and post-intervention during each of 2, 1-hour study visits, data collection complete within 3 weeks
Study Arms (2)
NMES then Vibration
EXPERIMENTALVibration then NMES
EXPERIMENTALInterventions
The thigh of the surgical leg will be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol. 2.75" x 5" NMES electrodes (Dura-Stick Plus, Chattanooga, DJO Global, Dallas, TX) will be adhered to the proximal and distal aspects of the quadriceps muscles. An FDA-approved portable neuromuscular electrical stimulator (Empi Continuum, DJO Global, Dallas, TX) will be utilized to deliver a biphasic square wave pulse (frequency 75 Hz, pulse width 300 µs) to the quadriceps of the surgical limb. Participants will control both the amplitude of current delivered (0-100 mA) and the on/off timing of the stimulation via a wired control switch. Participants will complete common post-ACLR rehabilitation exercises while NMES is delivered (total time for exercises is approximately 20 minutes).
Participants will sit in a comfortable position on a treatment plinth with knees flexed to \~30°, hips flexed between 30-60°, and the back supported. The back of the thighs will rest on the vibration pads of a commercial vibration device (Thumper Versa Pro Massager, (Thumper Massager Inc., Markham, Ontario, CA). Participants will sit at rest for 20 minutes while the vibration device provides a 30 Hz vibration with an amplitude of \~6 mm.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Have undergone ACLR within the previous 4 months
- Are at least 2 months post-ACLR
You may not qualify if:
- A history of ACLR on both legs
- Since the most recent ACLR:
- secondary lower extremity surgery
- leg or foot fracture
- Unable to walk without an assistive device
- Pain of greater than 5/10 during quadriceps strengthening exercises with the surgical limb
- Cannot achieve 90 degrees of knee flexion with the surgical limb
- People with contraindications to NMES
- Anyone who had a previous skin reaction to NMES or attempted but could not tolerate NMES
- Peripheral neuropathy or other neurological conditions
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
UW Health
Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Daniel Cobian, DPT, PhD
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- CROSSOVER
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
June 24, 2026
First Posted
June 30, 2026
Study Start
August 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
August 1, 2027
Study Completion (Estimated)
August 1, 2027
Last Updated
July 13, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-06
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share