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

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.