University of Oregon

Department of Human Physiology Graduate Studies in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine

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Evidence Based Practice: Do proprioceptive and balance exercises improve outcomes following ACL deficiency and reconstruction?

Justin Ericson MS, ATC

Reference: Cooper RL, Taylor NF, Feller JA. A systematic review of the effect of proprioceptive and balance exercises on people with an injured or reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament. Res Sports Med. 2005 Apr-June;13(2):163-78.

Clinical Question: What is the clinical evidence base for the effectiveness of proprioceptive and balance exercises on people with an injured or reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?

Data Sources: Studies were identified by conducting a literature search of computerized databases that included MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, Sports Discus, and The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The search terms were rehabilitation/exercise, anterior cruciate ligament, and proprioception/neuromuscular/balance.

Conclusion: This review provides evidence that proprioceptive and balance exercise improves outcomes in individuals with ACL-deficient knees. Improvements in proprioception, muscle strength, and knee joint function were reported following proprioceptive and balance exercise. The one study that investigated proprioceptive exercise following ACL reconstruction reported benefits for muscle strength and proprioception. No study noted increased passive joint laxity or decreased strength when compared with standard rehabilitation programs. The effectiveness of proprioceptive and balance training on the return to sporting activity was not evaluated. Future research should include participation restriction as an outcome measure to assess the level of participation achieved after rehabilitation.