60 Participants Needed

Attention Feedback Techniques for ACL Injury Prevention

AT
Overseen ByAbbey Thomas, PhD
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Charlotte
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment 'Attention Feedback Techniques for ACL Injury Prevention'?

Research suggests that using an external focus of attention, such as focusing on a target, can improve jump-landing techniques and reduce risk factors for ACL injuries. This approach has shown better results compared to internal focus strategies, making it a promising component of ACL injury prevention programs.12345

Is attention feedback training safe for humans?

The studies reviewed do not report any safety concerns related to attention feedback techniques, suggesting they are generally safe for use in humans.12345

How does the treatment 'Attention Feedback Techniques for ACL Injury Prevention' differ from other treatments for ACL injuries?

This treatment is unique because it uses different types of focus feedback—auditory, internal, and visual—to improve movement patterns and prevent ACL injuries. Unlike traditional methods that often focus internally on body movements, this approach emphasizes external focus, which has been shown to enhance motor performance and movement technique more effectively.12345

What is the purpose of this trial?

Knee injuries, especially those to the ACL, are common among physically active people. Preventing these injuries from happening is critical to limiting the long-term pain, disability, and arthritis associated with these injuries. Our study is going to examine new ways to provide feedback about the way people move to determine if these are better at modifying movement patterns to prevent injury than current standard treatments. If you participate, you will be asked to undergo a movement analysis in a research laboratory while you perform tasks such as landing from a box and running and cutting. After this initial assessment, you will be randomly allocated to one of 3 treatment groups. Each treatment group will perform 4 weeks (3x/week) of exercises to change the way people land from a jump. Participants will then report for follow-up movement analysis testing 1- and 4-weeks after completing the intervention.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for physically active individuals who exercise over 30 minutes at least three times a week. It's not suitable for those with a BMI over 40, history of lower limb fractures or surgeries, smokers, recent musculoskeletal injuries, neurological disorders affecting brain activity, past major knee or ankle injuries, or significant visual/hearing impairments.

Inclusion Criteria

Exercise 30+ minutes 3+ days/week

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have severe visual or hearing problems that would affect my participation.
History of musculoskeletal injury sustained in the 6 months prior to enrollment
I have had a concussion or a neurological disorder that could affect brain wave tests.
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Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Initial Assessment

Participants undergo a movement analysis in a research laboratory while performing tasks such as landing from a box and running and cutting.

1 day
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants are randomly allocated to one of 3 treatment groups and perform exercises to change the way they land from a jump.

4 weeks
12 sessions (in-person, 3x/week)

Follow-up

Participants report for follow-up movement analysis testing to assess changes in biomechanics and cortical activity.

4 weeks
2 visits (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Auditory external focus of attention feedback
  • Internal focus of attention feedback
  • Visual internal focus of attention feedback
Trial Overview The study tests three types of feedback during movement exercises to prevent ACL injury: internal focus (thinking about the body), and external focus using either visual cues or sounds. Participants will be randomly placed in one group and do specific jump-landing exercises for four weeks.
Participant Groups
3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Visual external focus of attention feedbackExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will complete 12 sessions over 3 weeks receiving visual feedback of their movement patterns from a laser.
Group II: Auditory external focus of attention feedbackExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will complete 12 sessions over 3 weeks receiving auditory feedback of their movement patterns.
Group III: Internal focus of attention feedbackActive Control1 Intervention
Participants will complete 12 sessions over 3 weeks receiving visual feedback in a mirror of their movement patterns.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Lead Sponsor

Trials
27
Recruited
12,200+

Findings from Research

Differential learning strategies and external focus of attention significantly reduced risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in athletes, as shown in a study involving 48 male athletes over eight weeks.
The differential learning group exhibited larger effect sizes in improving kinetic and kinematic variables related to ACL injury risk compared to other methods, suggesting that varied movement practices may be more effective in injury prevention.
Comparing the Effects of Differential Learning, Self-Controlled Feedback, and External Focus of Attention Training on Biomechanical Risk Factors of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Ghanati, HA., Letafatkar, A., Shojaedin, S., et al.[2022]
In a study involving 16 patients recovering from ACL reconstruction, using an external focus of attention during rehabilitation significantly improved knee flexion angles and range of motion during single leg hop jumps compared to an internal focus.
The findings suggest that an external focus may promote safer movement patterns, potentially reducing the risk of a second ACL injury during recovery.
The effects of attentional focus on jump performance and knee joint kinematics in patients after ACL reconstruction.Gokeler, A., Benjaminse, A., Welling, W., et al.[2022]
In a study involving 30 patients (mean age 23.26 years) recovering from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, using external focus of attention (EF) during jump-landing training significantly improved landing technique compared to internal focus of attention (IF).
The results suggest that incorporating EF techniques in rehabilitation could lead to better treatment outcomes for patients after ACLR, as evidenced by a significantly better score on the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) with EF instructions.
Using a target as external focus of attention results in a better jump-landing technique in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - A cross-over study.Bæktoft van Weert, M., Skovdal Rathleff, M., Eppinga, P., et al.[2023]

References

Comparing the Effects of Differential Learning, Self-Controlled Feedback, and External Focus of Attention Training on Biomechanical Risk Factors of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022]
The effects of attentional focus on jump performance and knee joint kinematics in patients after ACL reconstruction. [2022]
Using a target as external focus of attention results in a better jump-landing technique in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - A cross-over study. [2023]
Motor learning strategies in basketball players and its implications for ACL injury prevention: a randomized controlled trial. [2022]
Novel methods of instruction in ACL injury prevention programs, a systematic review. [2022]
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