Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries, Neurocognitive Function, Sports Injury
Conditions
Keywords
Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Kinesiophobia, Electroencephalography
Brief summary
This study investigated how anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries affect not only the knee joint but also brain activity, reaction speed, and psychological readiness to return to sports. A total of 60 male athletes, aged 18 to 30 years, were evaluated in three groups: healthy athletes, athletes who had undergone primary ACL reconstruction, and athletes who had undergone revision ACL reconstruction. The study measured brain activity with electroencephalography (EEG), reaction time with a computer-based test, and psychological status with standardized questionnaires. The findings showed that athletes with revision ACL surgery had more difficulties in attention control, slower reaction times, and greater psychological barriers compared to the other groups. These results suggest that ACL injuries and surgeries may influence not only physical recovery but also brain function and psychological readiness. The study highlights the importance of considering neuromuscular, cognitive, and emotional aspects when planning rehabilitation and return-to-sport decisions.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Duzce University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Male athletes Age between 18 and 30 years Regular participation in amateur or professional sports Completion of ACL rehabilitation (for surgical groups) at least 6 months before enrollment Ability to undergo EEG and reaction time testing Provision of signed informed consent
Exclusion criteria
History of neurological or psychiatric conditions (e.g., epilepsy, ADHD, depression) Additional lower extremity injuries or orthopedic surgeries Metal implants or scalp conditions incompatible with EEG Uncorrected visual or auditory deficits Systemic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy) Use of psychoactive medication Any cognitive or physical limitation interfering with testing procedures Female participants (to avoid hormonal confounding effects on EEG recordings)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal EEG Theta/Beta Ratio | Single assessment on the study day (June-July 2025) | Cortical activity measured at F3 and F4 electrode sites using EEG (Nexus-10 system, Mind Media, Netherlands). Theta (4-8 Hz) and beta (13-21 Hz) power spectral densities were calculated and the ratio (theta/beta) was used as an indicator of attentional control. Higher ratios indicate reduced attention and cognitive efficiency. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Reaction Time (ms) | Single assessment on the study day (June-July 2025) | Computer-based visual response task; mean reaction time (ms) computed across 5 valid trials after practice. Longer times indicate lower sensorimotor efficiency. |
| Kinesiophobia (TSK-11 total score) | Single assessment on the study day (June-July 2025) | Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11; 11 items, 1-4 Likert; total score 11-44. Higher scores indicate greater fear of movement/reinjury. |
| Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport (ACL-RSI total score) | Single assessment on the study day (June-July 2025) | ACL-RSI questionnaire; 12 items scored 0-100; total reported as mean (0-100). Higher scores indicate greater psychological readiness. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed