Distinct Movement-Related Cortical Control Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is associated with altered brain activity, but comprehensive data on neural differences during movement and their impact on motor performance is limited.
• Understanding these neural changes is crucial for effective rehabilitation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on cortical activity during motor tasks in ACL patients compared to healthy controls.
• To explore the potential impact of these neural differences on motor performance.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Searched major databases (PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) for primary research comparing brain activity in ACL patients and controls during voluntary motor tasks.
• Included 25 studies involving 416 ACL patients, utilizing electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Main Results:

• 21 studies reported significant differences in brain activity, with increased activity in frontal and visual processing regions in ACL patients.
• Findings for motor and parietal cortices were inconsistent.
• Of 14 studies reporting behavioral data, 10 found no significant motor performance differences, while 4 reported impairments.

Conclusions:

• ACL patients exhibit distinct brain activity patterns, characterized by increased neural resource recruitment in cognitive and visual networks.
• The relationship between observed cortical alterations and motor performance deficits remains hypothetical.
• Future research should utilize dual-task paradigms (visual and cognitive) to better elucidate the brain-behavior relationship in ACL patients.