Different Exercise Interventions on Knee Function Recovery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Network Meta-Analysis.

Si, Xu; Liu, Yu Hang; Zhou, Xin Ru; Ning, Shao Jie; Li, Qing Bo; Cheng, Fang · Am J Phys Med Rehabil · 2026

meta_analysis · Level I

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Abstract

To evaluate the effects of different exercise interventions, including blood flow restriction training (BFRT), whole-body vibration training (WBVT), and isokinetic training (IT), on knee function recovery post-ACL reconstruction using network meta-analysis. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from database inception, with the earliest eligible RCT published in 2013, until April 25, 2024. Primary outcomes included Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, quadriceps strength, and limb symmetry index (LSI). Network meta-analysis was performed with Stata 17.0 and RevMan 5.4. A total of 29 studies with nine interventions were included. Functional resistance training (FRT) and water-based training (WBT) showed the best improvements in Lysholm scores. WBVT and BFRT excelled in quadriceps strength, while WBVT and IT were superior in LSI. WBVT and IT improve quadriceps strength and LSI, while FRT and WBT are effective in early rehabilitation. BFRT enhances strength but has limited effect on LSI.