Effect of dual task on gait asymmetry in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 13;8(1):12057. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-30459-w.

Abstract

Individuals who received anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgeries demonstrated lower extremity movement asymmetries. The purpose of this study was to determine if psychological impairment was a contributor to lower extremity movement asymmetries in walking for individuals who received ACL reconstruction surgeries. Three-dimensional videographic and force plate data were collected for 25 males after unilateral ACL reconstruction performing walking without (single-task condition) and with the concurrent cognitive task (dual-task condition). Both uninjured and injured legs had significantly smaller peak knee flexion angle and peak knee extension moment during loading response and mid-stance phases in dual-task condition compared to single task condition (P ≤ 0.012). Walking condition and leg had significant interaction effects on peak hip adduction angle during mid-stance phase (P = 0.042) and peak hip abduction moment during loading response phase (P = 0.048). The inter-leg difference of peak hip adduction angle during mid-stance (P = 0.038) and terminal stance (P = 0.036) phases, and peak hip abduction moment during loading response phase (P = 0.024) were significantly decreased in dual-task condition compared to single-task condition. Psychological factors have significant effects on post-operative movements of both injured and uninjured knees of individuals who received ACL reconstruction surgery. Although physical factors may be primary contributors to the post-operative lower extremity movement asymmetries, psychological factors also contribute to the post-operative hip movement asymmetries.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / surgery*
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / adverse effects*
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / psychology
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Gait / physiology*
  • Gait Analysis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multitasking Behavior*
  • Muscle Strength / physiology
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Complications / psychology*
  • Quadriceps Muscle / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult