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Abstract
This pilot study examined the potential benefits of integrating mental imagery (MI) techniques into rehabilitation for athletes recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. Ten athletes (Mean age = 21.0 ± 4.5 years) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 5; MI plus physical therapy) or a control group (n = 5; physical therapy only) for 12 weeks. Outcome measures included the Y-Balance Test, isokinetic strength assessments at 90°/s, 180°/s, and 240°/s, and the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ). Mixed-design ANOVA revealed significant Side-by-Group interactions for Y-Balance composite scores (p = .007), hamstring-to-quadriceps peak torque ratios across all three angular velocities (p ≤ .003), and time-to-peak-torque of both flexor and extensor muscle groups (p ≤ .006). For the KVIQ, significant Time-by-Group interactions emerged for the visual subscales (upper-limbs: p = .030; lower-limbs: p = .026), whereas the kinesthetic subscales did not reach statistical significance despite comparable effect sizes (p = .10). This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that integrating MI techniques into ACL rehabilitation may enhance dynamic balance, strength and time-to-peak-torque ratios, and visual imagery abilities, with similar (non-significant) trendsfor kinesthetic imagery. However, given the small sample size (n = 10), these findings should be interpreted cautiously and confirmed through larger randomized controlled trials before clinical recommendations are made.
References
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