Brain booster for knee recovery: new trial tests tDCS on ACL patients
NCT ID NCT06818201
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve muscle control and quality of life in people recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery. Fifty-four participants aged 16 to 40 will receive either tDCS or a sham treatment alongside standard exercise therapy. The goal is to see if adding brain stimulation helps the leg muscles work better and speeds up recovery.
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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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About 54 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2025
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
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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16 to 40 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 complete ACL tear through clinical evaluation and MRI imaging. * Patients who have received surgical intervention. * Aged between 16 and 40 years. * Tegner activity level of 4 or higher. Exclusion Criteria: * Rupture, such as tendons, cartilage, bones, or ligaments. * Absence of any pre-existing or current lower limb pathologies, such as open surgeries, knee arthroscopies, or femur/tibia fractures. * Neuromuscular or metabolic diseases. * Concussion within the past six months are not eligible. * Cranial surgery or have intracranial metal clips are ineligible. * Taking medications that affect neuronal activity. * Neurological diseases or disorders are not eligible for participation.
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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.
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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Catholic Univerity of Valencia
RECRUITINGValencia, Valencia, 46001, Spain
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Zapping the brain to rebuild leg muscle after ACL tears
- Knee surgery showdown: does an extra ligament fix improve ACL recovery?
- Shock therapy for knees: new study tests nerve zaps for ACL recovery
- New rehab combo may speed knee recovery after ACL surgery
- Knee surgery recovery: does graft type matter for muscle strength?