Comparison of Two Different Rehabilitation Approaches Applied Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to examine and analyze the effects of a rehabilitation programme (CP+DT) including conventional physiotherapy and dual task exercises versus another rehabilitation programme (CP+DT+FR) including conventional physiotherapy and dual-task exercises in addition to foam roller on pain, range of motion, functional status, balance, quality of life, and kinesiophobia in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
METHODS: A total of 28 patients undergoing unilateral arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendon graft took part in the ongoing study. Patients were randomly separated into two groups: CP+DT (n=14, 27.64±6.51 years, 14 males) and CP+DT+FR (n=14, 23.07±3.97 years, 11 males and 3 females). All participants were treated three times over eight weeks. Baseline and follow‐up testing included pain, range of motion, functional status, balance, quality of life, and kinesiophobia.
RESULTS: Both groups displayed significant differences in terms of pain, range of motion, functional status, balance, quality of life, and kinesiophobia (p<0.05). However, no substantial differences were detected between two rehabilitation groups in terms of all outcomes (p>0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: An 8-week training with conventional physiotherapy and dual-task exercises are effective in improving clinical outcomes. However, the addition of the foam roller to the conventional physiotherapy and dual-task exercises have no additional beneficial effects on pain, range of motion, functionality, balance, quality of life, or kinesiophobia.