Effects of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Muscle Inhibition After ACL Reconstruction

NCT07866963 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC FDA Device

• 1 other identifier: Qasim Idrees
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on arthrogenic muscle inhibition in athletes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Participants will be allocated into two groups: a control group receiving standard physical therapy and an experimental group receiving standard physical therapy combined with anodal tDCS over the primary motor cortex (M1). The tDCS intervention will be delivered at 2 mA for 20 minutes, three times per week for four weeks, immediately before supervised physiotherapy. The study will assess quadriceps muscle strength, arthrogenic muscle inhibition, neuromuscular control, and subjective knee function at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks. The study aims to determine whether adding anodal tDCS to standard rehabilitation improves outcomes following ACL reconstruction.

Conditions

ACL Reconstruction

Keywords

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction;; Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition;; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation;; Anodal tDCS;

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Quadriceps Muscle Strength

  Quadriceps muscle strength will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer or handheld dynamometer following ACL reconstruction.

  Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Standard Physical Therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Device: Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS); Other: Standard Physical Therapy

Standard Physical Therapy Plus Anodal tDCS

EXPERIMENTAL

Device: Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS); Other: Standard Physical Therapy

Interventions

Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) DEVICE

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) will be administered using a CE/FDA-approved constant-current tDCS device. Stimulation will be delivered at 2 mA for 20 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week, immediately before supervised physiotherapy, for 4 weeks (12 sessions). The anode will be placed over the contralateral primary motor cortex (M1) quadriceps representation (C3 for the right leg and C4 for the left leg), using the international 10-20 system, while the cathode will be positioned over the contralateral supraorbital region.

Standard Physical Therapy; Standard Physical Therapy Plus Anodal tDCS

Standard Physical Therapy OTHER

Standard physical therapy for 8 weeks, 1 hour per day, 3 times per week, for a total of 24 sessions.

Standard Physical Therapy; Standard Physical Therapy Plus Anodal tDCS

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Participants with unilateral primary ACL reconstruction. ACL reconstruction performed using hamstring autograft (semitendinosus ± gracilis).
• Participants 0-4 weeks post-operative. Age 15-45 years. Participants receiving no other rehabilitation treatment. Participants who provide voluntary informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Contraindications to rehabilitation, such as wounds or infections. Lower-extremity venous thrombosis. Serious cognitive impairment or inability to cooperate. Severe cardiac insufficiency, renal failure, or other diseases contraindicating exercise.
• Combined fractures/cartilage injuries or multiple ligament injuries. Severe osteoporosis. Bone tumor of the lower limb or history of spinal tuberculosis. Passive joint extension limitation due to joint or surgery. Metal implants near the head. History of seizures. Previous exposure to tDCS. Cognitive disorders.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore: lead

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation Therapy; Therapeutics; Convulsive Therapy; Psychiatric Somatic Therapies; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Electroshock; Psychological Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr. Maryam Shabbir

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 4, 2026
• First Posted: October 9, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027
• Last Updated: October 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10