Implementation of In Vivo Exposure Therapy to Decrease Fear in Females after ACL-Reconstruction: A Pilot Study

Grants and Contracts Details

Description

It is estimated one out of three individuals will not return to competitive levels of sport after ACL reconstruction due to biopsychosocial impairments such as fear of re-injury. Furthermore, these individuals often exhibit changes in neurocognitive functioning, and a relationship between biopsychosocial impairments and neurocognitive function has been previously identified. Interventions to treat these impairments need to be identified so ATs can further implement patient-centered care during the rehabilitation process. The aims of this proposal are to determine the effectiveness of In Vivo Exposure Therapy (IVET) on 1) self-reported fear avoidance beliefs and fear of re-injury and 2) neurocognitive functioning in females post-ACLR reconstruction. IVET is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that gradually exposes patients to patient-specific fear-eliciting situations (i.e. hopping, jumping, or cutting). Participants will be randomized in to the IVET or control group. Participants will complete self-reported assessments of fear/fear of re-injury and neurocognitive assessments at baseline and postintervention. Dependent variables will include scores on patient-reported outcome measures and neurocognitive testing and independent variables will include group and time. Two-way ANOVAs will be used to examine group and time differences. We hypothesize that participants enrolled in IVET will exhibit decreases in fear and improvements in neurocognitive functioning.
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date7/10/186/30/19

Funding

  • NATA Research & Education Foundation: $2,488.00

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