OBJECTIVES: Determine the safety and initial efficacy of a novel biofeedback intervention to improve landing mechanics in patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).
METHODS: Forty patients post-ACLR (age: 16.9 ± 2.0 years) were randomly allocated to a biofeedback intervention or an attention control group. Patients in the biofeedback group completed 12 sessions over six-weeks that included bilateral unweighted squats with visual and tactile biofeedback. Patients in the control group completed a six-week educational program. Lower extremity mechanics were collected during a bilateral stop jump at baseline, six-weeks, and 12-weeks post-intervention. Linear mixed-effects models adjusted for sex and graft type determined the main effects of and interactions between group and time.
RESULTS: No group by time interaction existed for peak knee extension moment symmetry. A group by time interaction existed for peak vertical ground reaction force symmetry (p = 0.012), where patients in the biofeedback group had greater improvements in symmetry between baseline and post-intervention that were not maintained through the retention assessments.
CONCLUSION: This novel biofeedback program did not reduce risk factors for second ACL injuries. Future work could develop and test multidisciplinary interventions for reducing second ACL injury risk factors. CLINICALTRIALS: GOV IDENTIFIER: (NCT03273673).