Randomized Controlled Trial of Virtual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Improve Outcomes After ACL Reconstruction Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the impact of a virtual psychological intervention on recovery outcomes for patients undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. This randomized controlled trial aims to determine whether virtual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) modules, delivered alongside standard care, can improve return to sport and postoperative recovery compared to standard care alone. The study focuses on patients over age 12 undergoing their first ACLR surgery with a specific orthopedic surgeon. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives standard post-operative rehabilitation only, while the other group receives the same rehabilitation plus access to asynchronous virtual CBT modules before and after surgery. These virtual sessions are designed to provide strategies to support recovery and are delivered by trained health professionals. The study is expected to last two years, with both groups following the same rehabilitation plan. Throughout the study, participants will be assessed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Researchers will collect data including return to sport status, physical function and pain interference scores, depression screening results, psychological impact of returning to sport, opioid use after surgery, and use of additional counseling services. Protected health information will be securely managed, and all assessments will help evaluate the benefits of adding virtual psychological support to ACLR recovery.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Recovery With Virtual Psychological Intervention