Cognitive Training Improves Joint Stiffness Regulation and Function in ACLR Patients Compared to Healthy Controls.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Cognitive function is vital for motor control.
• Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can impair neuromuscular control.
• Cognitive training may enhance motor strategies post-ACLR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cognitive training's effect on joint stiffness regulation in ACLR patients.
• To assess cognitive training's impact on knee function after ACLR.
• To compare ACLR patients with healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 20 ACLR patients and 20 healthy controls.
• Four weeks of online cognitive training intervention.
• Assessment of executive function, joint stiffness (response to visual stimuli), and knee function (single-legged hop).

Main Results:

• Both groups showed improved executive function post-training.
• ACLR patients initially exhibited altered joint stiffness to fearful/injury images, which normalized post-intervention.
• ACLR patients improved single-legged hop distance after cognitive training, unlike controls.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive training enhances executive function in ACLR patients.
• This improvement may normalize joint stiffness dysregulation and enhance knee function.
• Cognitive training shows promise for improving neuromuscular control post-ACLR.