Brain-Computer Interface Training for Muscle Activation After Orthopedic Surgery

This study is investigating if a special type of brain training, called neurofeedback visualization training, can help patients recover muscle strength faster after orthopedic surgeries like knee or hip replacement. After these surgeries, some patients experience Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition (AMI), which makes it hard to fully activate their muscles. This trial compares patients receiving standard physical therapy to those who also use a device that reads brain signals (EEG) while they imagine performing rehabilitation exercises. The goal is to see if this brain training improves knee and hip muscle strength at 2, 4, and 6 months after surgery. You may be able to join if you are over 18, can participate in the training, and are having one of the four specified orthopedic procedures.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 240 participants. It compares standard physical therapy to standard physical therapy combined with visualization training with neurofeedback.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for at least 6 months, with muscle strength measured at 2, 4, and 6 months after surgery.

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NCT07020312

Brain-Computer Interface Visualization Training to Optimize Muscle Activation Following Orthopaedic Surgery

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18+InterventionalTreatment
Rush University Medical Center
~240 participants
Updated 2026-06-18 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Visualization training with neurofeedbackStandard post-surgical rehabilitation therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Knee extensor strength
Measured over 2, 4 and 6 months
+1 more outcome measured
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)
Total Knee Arthroplasty
Hip Arthroscopy
1 sites across 1 states
Illinois1
  • Jorge Chahla, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Rush University Medical Center

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Patient age \>18 years
Ability to complete neurofeedback training and follow study follow-ups
Indicated for one of the four investigated orthopedic procedures
Patients undergoing primary ACLR with autograft or allograft tissue
Adjunct lateral Extra-articular tenodesis will be included
Patients undergoing primary TKA
Preoperative total knee range of motion of at least 100 degrees (combined flexion and extension)

Exclusion

Inability to participate in neurofeedback training
Lack of decisional capability
History of stroke, movement disorder (e.g. Parkinson's), peripheral neuropathy
Cardiac pacemaker or other internal electronic device
BMI \>35
Previous surgery or specific pathology on the affected joint (refer to procedure specific indications below)
Revision ACL surgery
Moderate to Severe arthritis - Kellgren-Lawerence (KL) Grade \> 3
Patients with meniscus root repair
Non-weight-bearing status exceeding 1 week postoperatively
Revision surgery
Hinged implant
Any open procedure involving the knee joint
Symptomatic arthritis in the contralateral knee with planned or expected total knee arthroplasty within 6 months
Inflammatory Arthritis
Revision Surgery
Any open procedure involving the hip joint
Bilateral THA procedures
Inflammatory Arthritis
Revision Surgery
Diagnosis of hip dysplasia
  • Knee extensor strength2, 4 and 6 months

    ACLR and TKA groups: Maximal isokinetic knee extensor strength (Newtons/BMI). Maximal isokinetic knee extensor strength will be assessed using standardized dynamometry procedures with Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer (Biodex System 3) at 2, 4 and 6 months after surgery. Each participant will perform three to five maximal voluntary isometric contractions of the knee extensors. The average of the peak torque values will be used for analysis. To account for individual differences in body size, values will be normalized to the participant's body mass index (Newtons/BMI). Body Mass Index (BMI) = weight (kg) / \[height (m)\]². The first assessment will occur at 2 months to ensure patient safety and measurement consistency, as early postoperative conditions (e.g., pain, swelling) could compromise the reliability and validity of strength testing.

  • Hip Abductor Strength2, 4 and 6 months

    Hip arthroscopy and THA: Maximal isokinetic hip abductor strength (Newtons/BMI). Maximal isokinetic hip abductor strength will be assessed using standardized dynamometry procedures with Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer (Biodex System 3) at 2, 4 and 6 months after surgery. Each participant will perform three to five maximal voluntary isometric contractions of the hip abductors. The average of the peak torque values will be used for analysis. To account for individual differences in body size, values will be normalized to the participant's body mass index (Newtons/BMI). Body Mass Index (BMI) = weight (kg) / \[height (m)\]². The first assessment will occur at 2 months to ensure patient safety and measurement consistency, as early postoperative conditions (e.g., pain, swelling) could compromise the reliability and validity of strength testing.