Design

This randomized controlled trial was reported according to the recommendations of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement [14].

Measurements were carried out between 2017 and 2019 at the University of Physical Education in Laboratory of the Diagnostics of the Motor System, Laboratory of the Motion Analysis, in collaboration with the Trauma and Orthopaedics Clinical Department, University Hospital in Krakow.

The first author enrolled patients from a list of patients for ACLr. Patients qualified for the research were patients of the Trauma and Orthopaedics Clinical Department, University Hospital in Krakow.

Each patient was randomly assigned to one of two groups on the day the ACL reconstruction surgery was completed. Before starting the intervention, patients were randomly allocated to the Experimental or Control group by an independent researcher using the sealed envelopes method. The first group had the HiToP included in rehabilitation (Experimental group), while the second group, had been treated without the HiToP (Control group).

Eligibility criteria for the research were: isolated, complete ACL rupture confirmed by imaging examination (Magnetic Resonance imaging), the form of surgery prescribed by a physician – ACLr by an autogenic method – ST tendon graft, ability to move independently before and after the surgery (without the use of orthopaedic supports), no other injuries or illnesses that may affect the outcome of the measurements e.g. damage to the menisci, degenerative changes in the joints (tests performed by an orthopedist). The patients had not taken medications affecting motor coordination and after becoming acquainted with the purposes and the course of the research – a voluntary consent to participate in the study (written consent). Patients also declared that they would not participate in any other physiotherapy.

Criteria for exemption from the surgery and rehabilitation program were: more than two absence in the rehabilitation program and interruption of continuity of the graft.

Patients informed and written consent was obtained, and the rights of subjects were protected. The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Ethical Committee of Regional Medical Chamber in Krakow (No. 19/KBL/OIL/2014).