scholarly journals What is the Importance of Psychological Measures to Determine Readiness to Return to Sports After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tate Newmarch ◽  
Marcel Betsch ◽  
Roman Michalik ◽  
Tim Dwyer ◽  
Daniel Whelan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Psychological Tests ◽  
Return To Sports ◽  
Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Abstract Background: Recent studies have suggested that psychological factors are important components of successful return to sports (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this study was to survey physicians on their criteria used to determine readiness to RTS after ACLR and understand the significance of psychological factors on RTS.Methods: A survey was designed to understand the practices of clinicians managing rehabilitation after ACLR consisting of 25 questions divided in 3 different sections, including one section about psychological scores and factors affecting RTS. The survey was delivered to three North-American orthopaedic sports medicine organizations.Results: The total number of respondents was 113. 95% of respondents considered psychological tests at least “somewhat important” (33% “important”, 23% selected “very important”). Routine use of psychological tests in practice was only reported by 35% of respondents. The ACL-Return to Sport after Injury Scale was the most frequently used psychological test (23%). Fear of reinjury was considered the most common patient-cited psychological factor affecting RTS. Psychological factors ranked 8th out of 9 outcomes measures in determining readiness to RTS.Conclusion: This study demonstrates a discrepancy between the importance of psychological tests and the frequency of use in practice. Additional education on this topic, web-based applications and a multidisciplinary approach may increase the usage of psychological tests to determine RTS after ACLR.

scholarly journals How Much Do Psychological Factors Affect Lack of Return to Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction? A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 232596711984531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedict U. Nwachukwu ◽  
Joshua Adjei ◽  
Ryan C. Rauck ◽  
Jorge Chahla ◽  
Kelechi R. Okoroha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Variables affecting return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are multifactorial. The nonphysical factors germane to successful return to play (RTP) are being increasingly recognized. Purpose: To (1) evaluate the available evidence base for psychological factors relating to RTP after ACLR, (2) identify psychological factors affecting RTP after ACLR, and (3) understand currently available metrics used to assess psychological RTP readiness. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A review of the MEDLINE database was performed for studies reporting RTP after ACLR. Studies reporting on the psychological determinants of RTP were included. Demographic, methodological, and psychometric properties of the included studies were extracted. Weighted analysis was performed after patients were pooled across included studies. Results: Of 999 studies identified in the initial search, 28 (2.8%) studies, comprising 2918 patients, were included; 19 studies (n = 2175 patients) reported RTP rates. The mean time for RTP was 17.2 months. There was a 63.4% rate of RTP, and 36.6% of patients returning to sport were not able to perform at their prior level of play. Of the 795 patients who did not achieve RTP, 514 (64.7%) cited a psychological reason for not returning. Fear of reinjury was the most common reason (n = 394; 76.7%); other psychological factors included lack of confidence in the treated knee (n = 76; 14.8%), depression (n = 29; 5.6%), and lack of interest/motivation (n = 13; 2.5%). The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the ACL–Return to Sport after Injury scale, and the Knee Self-Efficacy Scale were reported measures for assessing the influence of psychology on RTP. Conclusion: Psychological factors play an important role in RTP after ACLR. Among studies evaluating the impact of psychology on RTP, there was a delay in returning as well as lower RTP rates compared with the previously reported normative literature. Fear of reinjury was the most commonly reported impediment to RTP. The psychosocial measures identified in this review may have a role in RTP protocols for assessing mental resiliency; however, their roles need to be further investigated and validated in patients who have undergone ACLR.

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