The increasing effect of transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex to routine physical therapy on quadriceps muscle strength in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery

The increasing effect of transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex to routine physical therapy on quadriceps muscle strength in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

IRCT

Registry ID

IRCT20231113060048N1

Enrollment

Registered

2023-12-28

Start date

2024-01-10

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2024-01-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.

Interventions

After conducting the pilot project and determining the number of participants, those who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly divided into two groups: routine physiotherapy plus anodal-tDCS an

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

Male

Age

18 Years to 40 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Athletes who have been at least 4 weeks and at most 3 months since their anterior cruciate ligament surgery

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Knee surgery before ACLR Lower extremity injury in the past 6 months other than current ACLR Heart disease, history of stroke, and any problem that has a significant effect on a person's motor function or activity capacity Brain surgery, brain and cranial nerve cancer Migraine Medical records or personal reports of epilepsy or convulsive crises Metal clips inside the skull Cochlear implants or other implanted electronic devices Disturbance of balance or dizziness any active skin infection; or sensitivity to adhesive tape Taking sleeping pills or drugs that alter nerve activity within 48 hours before the evaluation

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Quadriceps muscle strength. Timepoint: Before application of tDCS current and after ten sessions of application of tDCS current. Method of measurement: Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
"Mental preparedness of athletes", "Evaluation of clinical symptoms and performance during sports activities and general performance", "Evaluation of pain and function in daily activities", "Assessment of pain intensity" and "Central activation ratio". Timepoint: Before applying tDCS and after ten sessions of applying tDCS. Method of measurement: ACL-Return to Sport after Injury questionnaire , International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire , Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Visual Analog Scale and Superimpose burst technique for Central Activation Ratio.	—

Measure

Time frame

"Mental preparedness of athletes", "Evaluation of clinical symptoms and performance during sports activities and general performance", "Evaluation of pain and function in daily activities", "Assessment of pain intensity" and "Central activation ratio". Timepoint: Before applying tDCS and after ten sessions of applying tDCS. Method of measurement: ACL-Return to Sport after Injury questionnaire , International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire , Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Visual Analog Scale and Superimpose burst technique for Central Activation Ratio.

—

Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Contacts

Public ContactNaeemeh Haddadi Esfahani

Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

pt_nhaddad@yahoo.com+98 31 3670 2603

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Jun 13, 2026