Mind over knee: mental skills training may boost ACL recovery in young athletes
NCT ID NCT07476430
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether mental skills training (MST) can improve coping and psychological readiness in 130 young athletes (ages 8-25) recovering from ACL reconstruction. Half will receive MST sessions before and after surgery; the other half will not. Researchers will measure coping skills, anxiety, depression, and readiness to return to sport over 9 months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Mental Skills Training (MST)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could give young athletes a proven way to build confidence and coping skills after ACL surgery, potentially improving their return to sport.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage behavioral study. The training may not significantly improve outcomes, and results may not apply to all athletes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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About 130 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jun 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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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8 to 25 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.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of a complete ACL tear * Undergoing ACL reconstruction at Boston Children's Hospital by a study-participating surgeon * Age at time of surgery between 8 and \<=25 * English-speaking patient Exclusion Criteria: * Previous ACL tear * Torn MCL, LCL, or PCL that require reconstruction in addition to ACL * Non-English speaking patient/family * Lack of intention to return to sports/sporting activities
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Boston Children's Waltham
Waltham, Massachusetts, 02453, United States
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