Mind over muscle: mental training boosts ACL recovery
NCT ID NCT03209531
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether a type of mental coaching, called operant conditioning, could help improve thigh muscle strength and activation in people who had ACL surgery. Eleven adults aged 18-45 who had ACL reconstruction took part. The goal was to see if this brain-training approach could reduce the muscle weakness that often lingers after injury.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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11 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2017
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 45 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * aged 18-45 years * suffered an acute, complete ACL rupture * have undergone ACL reconstructive surgery * willingness to participate in testing and follow-up as outlined in the protocol Exclusion Criteria: * have suffered a previous ACL injury; * have undergone previous major surgery to either knee; * have a history of recent significant knee injury (other than ACL) or lower-extremity fracture; * have a history of uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension; * be pregnant or plan to become pregnant; * have metal implants in the head; * have electronic devices in their ear or heart (e.g., cochlear implants or cardiac pacemakers); * have unexplained recurrent headaches; * have a recent history of seizures; * be taking drugs that reduce seizure threshold; * have a history of repeated fainting spells;
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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