Exercise + Psychological Support for ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation

(ACLR-REPS Trial)

Overseen By TRIA Research

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: HealthPartners Institute

Disqualifiers: Previous ACL injury, Concomitant ligamentous injury, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 6 months

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve recovery for individuals undergoing ACL reconstruction by incorporating psychological support into the standard exercise rehabilitation. Two groups will be compared: one where physical therapists receive additional training to provide emotional support, and another receiving standard care. Both groups will follow the same exercise routine and watch tailored videos. The trial suits athletes aged 15-21 who have recently injured their ACLs and plan to return to sports involving cutting, jumping, or pivoting. Participants will attend four study visits over six months. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to enhance recovery with added psychological support.

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this rehabilitation protocol is safe?

Research shows that exercise therapy is generally safe for people recovering from ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery. One study found that some exercises exert only about one-third of the pressure on the knee compared to walking, suggesting these exercises are gentle on the body.

Additionally, psychological support after ACL surgery might aid short-term recovery. However, the evidence for this remains limited, indicating a need for further research.

Overall, both exercise and psychological support in ACL recovery appear safe for most people. Participants should discuss any concerns with the clinical trial team to ensure suitability. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Rehabilitation with Exercise and Psychological Support (REPS) approach because it combines physical rehabilitation with psychological support, which is not typically part of standard care. While traditional ACL rehabilitation focuses primarily on physical recovery through exercises and therapies, REPS adds a psychological component that includes patient training videos and personalized support. This integrated approach aims to enhance both physical and mental recovery, potentially leading to better overall outcomes for patients. By addressing the mental challenges of recovery alongside the physical ones, REPS could improve adherence to rehabilitation programs and accelerate the return to normal activities.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for ACL rehabilitation?

This trial will compare two approaches for ACL reconstruction rehabilitation. Research has shown that combining exercise and emotional support, as in the Rehabilitation with Exercise and Psychological Support (REPS) arm of this trial, can aid recovery from ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries. Studies indicate that exercise therapy improves knee function and muscle strength after ACL surgery. Additionally, emotional support is linked to better well-being and faster short-term recovery. Overall, combining exercise with emotional support may lead to more successful ACL recovery. Meanwhile, the Standard Rehabilitation arm will follow TRIA rehabilitation protocols without additional psychological support. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young athletes aged 15-21 who had ACL surgery within the last 6 months and plan to return to sports that involve cutting, jumping, or pivoting. They must have been active in sports before injury and aim to resume at a similar level. Rehabilitation will take place at TRIA Gameface.

Inclusion Criteria

I was active in sports or physical activities before my injury.

I participated in sports for over 100 hours a year before my injury.

I plan to go back to playing a sport that involves quick movements.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-surgery Baseline

Participants attend a baseline visit before surgery to assess initial conditions

1 visit

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants undergo ACL reconstruction and receive rehabilitation with exercise and psychological support

6 months

3 visits (in-person) during follow-up

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for psychological readiness and knee function post-treatment

6 months

3 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Rehabilitation with Exercise and Psychological Support (REPS)

Trial Overview The study compares two methods of ACL rehabilitation: one with physical therapists trained to provide emotional support (REPS), and another without this training. Both groups receive the same exercises but watch different videos tailored to their group during rehab.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Psychological Support (REPS) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Study participants in Rehabilitation with Exercise and Psychological Support (REPS) will receive the standard rehabilitation treatment AND psychological support through a combination of PT training and patient training videos.

Group II: Standard Rehabilitation Active Control 1 Intervention

TRIA rehabilitation protocols for ACL reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft or ACL reconstruction with meniscal repair will be used for prescribing exercise. Physical therapists may use adjunctive modalities such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation, blood flow restriction, manual therapy, and cryotherapy at their discretion. Exercise videos prescribed to study participants will be housed in an individual online account per standard clinical procedure (MedBridge, Bellevue, WA).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

HealthPartners Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

196

Recruited

3,721,000+

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Collaborator

Trials

508

Recruited

1,090,000+

Citations

1. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/323600/acl-reconstruction-rehabilitation-with-exercise-and-psychological-support/

ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation With Exercise and ... The objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of Rehabilitation with Exercise and Psychological Support (REPS), a rehabilitation ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12231672/

The impact of exercise therapy on rehabilitation outcomes ... The study results show that WR training is the most effective in enhancing knee joint function and muscle strength post-ACL reconstruction.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1466853X24000749

Effectiveness of psychological intervention following ... Very low-quality evidence suggests that psychological intervention following ACLR yields better short-term outcomes compared to standard rehabilitation.

4. bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-020-03676-6

The effectiveness of preoperative rehabilitation programmes ... This review concluded that rehabilitation following ACL injury is effective for improving function, strength and hamstring reflex latency.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9460090/

ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Clinical Data, Biologic ... Our clinical data support the timeline of 4 weeks to achieve full active knee extension, irrespective of concomitant meniscal procedures. This is in agreement ...

6. bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-025-08876-6

The impact of exercise therapy on rehabilitation outcomes ... For patients post-ACL reconstruction, ET not only increases hamstring strength but also improves muscle fatigue resistance during intense ...

7. jospt.org jospt.org/doi/10.2519/josptopen.2025.0091

Do Recreational Athletes Benefit From a Structured, High ... In patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction, available studies have similarly reported that high-intensity exercise results in clinical ...