An interventional study of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Standard Physical Therapy in ACL Reconstruction, sponsored by University of Lahore. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 15 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-09.
Sponsored by University of Lahore · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
University of Lahore is the lead sponsor of 230 studies on the registry; 41 are open to participants now.
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Participants 0-4 weeks post-operative. Age 15-45 years. Participants receiving no other rehabilitation treatment. Participants who provide voluntary informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
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.
Device: Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) · Other: Standard Physical Therapy
Device: Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) · Other: Standard Physical Therapy
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 for 8 weeks, 1 hour per day, 3 times per week, for a total of 24 sessions.
Quadriceps Muscle Strength
Quadriceps muscle strength will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer or handheld dynamometer following ACL reconstruction.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks
No study locations are listed for this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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