INFLUENCE OF VIRTUAL REALITY GAMES ON KNEE PROPRIOCEPTION AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION (ACLR)

Research Abstract

INFLUENCE OF VIRTUAL REALITY GAMES ON KNEE PROPRIOCEPTION AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION (ACLR) ABSTRACT Background: Mechanical stability of the knee joint is mainly the function of the joint ligament especially anterior cruciate ligament ACL. Complete failure of ACL removes the mechanoreceptors of the joint and affect joint’s proprioception. ACL reconstruction regain ligament continuity without proprioception which need special rehabilitation program. Virtual reality VR games has shown to be a challengeable, enjoyable, and effective rehabilitation tool. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of 8 weeks Wii fit exercise rehabilitation program on knee proprioception in young male adults after ACL reconstruction. Design: randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Thirty patients their mean age 25.47 ±3.5 years. Methods: Patients were assigned randomly to study(A) and control(B) groups, control group received only regular exercise program according to the level of rehabilitation for 8 weeks, 3 sessions weekly, and study group received Wii fit exercise protocol for 8 weeks, 3 sessions weekly, 40 minutes session with regular exercise program as control group. Biodex isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure sense of position of the angles of knee joint before and after exercises in both groups. Results: After treatment the mean difference errors between joint angles significantly improved in study group: 30⁰(2.8 ± 0.6), 45⁰(2.9 ± 0.7),and 60⁰(2.6 ± 0.6) in comparison with control group: 30⁰(5.4 ± 0.6), 45⁰(5.2 ± 0.7),and 60⁰(5.2 ± 0.9) which also significantly improved, with significant main effect between control and study groups in the tested leg (F1,28 = 4660.702, p < 0.001. ƞ2= .994). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the virtual reality games using Wii fit exercises for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, 40 minutes per session used with regular exercise program of rehabilitation greatly improve the knee proprioception after ACL reconstruction. Trial registration: Clinical trials, NCT03900351, Registered 1 April 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03900351

Research Keywords

ACL