Comparison of the Effect of Cognitive Dual-Task and Single Task Balance Exercises on Static Balance Indices of People with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Introduction and goal: The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most important knee ligaments in maintaining the mechanical and functional stability of the knee, which damage leads to mechanical and functional instability of the knee. Reconstructive surgery improves mechanical stability, but functional stability is still impaired. Balance exercises can be helpful in improving the functional stability of these people. One of the types of balance exercises is dual cognitive task exercises. The effects of this type of exercises have been studied in different groups and their positive effects have been determined, but the effect of these exercises has not been studied in people with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery; Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of cognitive dual task exercises and single task exercises on the static balance indices of individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery. Materials & Methods: This study is a double-blind clinical trial. 28 patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery were randomly divided into two groups of dual cognitive and single balance exercise exercises and each group received the relevant exercises for 4 weeks, 3 times a week and each time for 20 minutes. COP indices including mean displacement, mean anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement, overall path, mean velosity and root mean of velocity and displacement and the area were measured using FDM device before and after the interventions and KOOS questionnaire was completed by the participants before and after the interventions. Results: Both types of cognitive dual-task and single-task balance exercises improve the indicators related to the static balance of the mean displacement, mean anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement, overall path, mean velosity and root mean of velocity and the area (P < 0.05), but no statistically significant difference was observed in these variables between the two groups; both types of exercises improved the questionnaire scores. But there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Both dual cognitive and single balance exercises improve the indicators related to static balance and the level of functional disability of the knee; However, there is no difference between dual cognitive and single task balance exercises in the effect on the indicators measured in this study.