Disclosures: Minhwan Kim: No financial relationships or conflicts of interest
Objective: To test the hypotheses that increased strength and reduced levels of pain will lead to increased levels of confidence in the early stages of rehabilitation post Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstruction (ACL-R).
Design: Cross-sectional Setting : University Research Laboratory Participants : 36 participants (25 Female, 11 Male, age=19.6±5.4 years, mass=70.6±11.7 kg, height=171.9±8.3 cm, time since surgery=4.0±0.8 months)
Interventions: Not applicable
Main Outcome Measures: Confidence was assessed using the ACL Return to Sport after injury scale (ACL-RSI) and pain was quantified using a visual analog scale. Quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic peak torque and quadriceps isometric peak torque was determined using an isokinetic dynamometer. Quadriceps inhibition (percent activation) was quantified using the interpolated twitch technique. Limb symmetry indexes (LSI=involved/uninvolved) were calculated for each strength measure. Pearson correlations were used to determine the relationship between ACL-RSI scores and outcome variables.
Results: The average ACL-RSI score was 52.7% and current pain and worst pain were 1/10 and 2.7/10 respectively. The average LSI score for participants was 78.4% for peak torque, 83.9% for inhibition, 71.3% for isokinetic quadriceps strength, and 71.1% for isokinetic hamstring strength. No association was found between ACL-RSI and any of the outcome measures: current pain (p=0.48, r=0.13), worst pain (p=0.93, r=0.02), peak torque (p=.34, r=.17), inhibition (p=.56, r=-.11), isokinetic quadriceps (p=0.92, r=-.20), isokinetic hamstring (P=.49, r =-.14). Conclusions: Despite a substantial amount of diminished confidence and fear coupled with substantial strength and inhibition deficits, these factors were not associated with each other. Future research should better determine factors that influence confidence and fear in the early stages of ACL rehabilitation such as self-efficacy, jumping mechanics, or patient-provider relationships.
Level of Evidence: Level III
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Kim M, Dotseth M, Farmer BE, Grindstaff T, Palimenio M, Turman K, KATSAVELIS D. Effect of Strength, Inhibition, and Pain on Confidence After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction [abstract]. PM R. 2020; 12(S1)(suppl 1). https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-strength-inhibition-and-pain-on-confidence-after-anterior-cruciate-ligament-reconstruction/. Accessed May 16, 2025.« Back to AAPM&R Annual Assembly 2020
PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-strength-inhibition-and-pain-on-confidence-after-anterior-cruciate-ligament-reconstruction/