Moderate Correlation Between Upper Extremity Perceptual-Motor Function and Time Since Surgery in Individuals After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. (2023)
Undergraduate: Mia Laws
Faculty Advisor: Shelby Baez
Department: Exercise and Sport Science
Context: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between time since surgery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and upper-extremity (UE) perceptual-motor function.
Methods: Seventeen participants with a history of primary, unilateral ACLR (14 Females, age= 22.0 ± 5.3 years, height = 198.9 ± 6.4 cm, weight = 65.2 ± 7.0 kg, time since surgery = 23.6 ± 12.9 months) completed a series of tasks on Senaptec Sensory Station™ (Senaptec LLC) using their upper extremities. A Spearman’s rho correlation was conducted to assess the relationship between upper extremity perceptual-motor function and time since surgery (TSS). Alpha level was set a priori to p<0.05. Correlation coefficients were interpreted as weak (0.1 - 0.3), moderate (0.4 - 0.6) or strong (0.7 - 0.9) Results: TSS was significantly correlated with UE perceptual-motor function tasks. There was a moderate negative relationship between time since surgery and average simple reaction time (ρ=-0.51 p=0.03, but not with eye-hand coordination reaction time (ρ=-0.49, p=0.07) Conclusion: As TSS increased, average simple reaction time improved. Previous work has shown improvements in lower extremity perceptual-motor function after UE training. UE training could be an effective intervention during acute phases after ACLR. This moderately correlated variable could be further explored to address how UE exercises/movements could help aid in recovery post-ACLR.
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