Physiotherapists’ Perspectives on the Importance of Psychological Impact in Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Psychological Impact in Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Authors

  • Adeera Azam The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Esha Dilawar Student, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Maham Athar Faisal Institute of Health Sciences Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
  • Aqsa Bashir Student, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Wajeeha Naaz Student, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Noreen Kiran The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1569

Keywords:

Physiotherapy, Sports Injury Rehabilitation, Psychological Impact, Athlete Mental Health, Exercise Addiction, Stress Management, Physiotherapist Training, Sports Psychology.

Abstract

Background: Psychological factors significantly impact the recovery of athletes undergoing sports injury rehabilitation. Recognizing and managing these factors is essential for effective rehabilitation outcomes.
Objective: To investigate physiotherapists' perspectives on the importance of psychological impacts in sports injury rehabilitation.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 39 physiotherapists from various universities, hospitals, and clinics in Faisalabad and Lahore using purposive sampling. Participants included physiotherapists with a minimum of three years of clinical experience. Data were collected through the Liz Hussey Physiotherapy and Sports Psychology Questionnaire (PSPQ), which assessed psychological conditions, coping behaviors, and the use of psychological techniques. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Results: The study found that 58.3% of physiotherapists believed athletes are psychologically affected by physical injuries. The most common conditions were exercise addiction (49.35%) and stress/anxiety (48.71%). Compliance with treatment was reported as the most successful coping behavior (17.9%). Techniques frequently used included encouraging positive self-thoughts (63.46%) and communication skills (63.00%).
Conclusion: Physiotherapists recognize the significant psychological impact of injuries on athletes and the need for psychological skills in rehabilitation. Training in sports psychology should be enhanced for better outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alexanders J, Douglas C. The Role of Psychological Skills Within Physiotherapy: A Narrative Review of the Profession and Training. Physical Therapy Reviews. 2016;21(3-6):222-227. doi:10.1080/10833196.2016.1274352.

Arvinen-Barrow M, Penny G, Hemmings B, Corr S. UK Chartered Physiotherapists’ Personal Experiences in Using Psychological Interventions With Injured Athletes: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2010;11(1):58-66. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2009.05.004.

Arvinen-Barrow M, Hemmings B, Weigand D, Becker C, Booth L. Views of Chartered Physiotherapists on the Psychological Contents of Their Practice: A Follow-Up Survey in the UK. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 2007;16:111.

Brewer BW. The Role of Psychological Factors in Sport Injury Rehabilitation Outcomes. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2010;3(1):40-61. doi:10.1080/17509840903301207.

Clement D, Granquist MD, Arvinen-Barrow MM. Psychosocial Aspects of Athletic Injuries as Perceived by Athletic Trainers. Journal of Athletic Training. 2013;48(4):512-521. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-48.3.21.

Driver C, Kean B, Oprescu F, Lovell GP. Knowledge, Behaviors, Attitudes and Beliefs of Physiotherapists Towards the Use of Psychological Interventions in Physiotherapy Practice: A Systematic Review. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2017;39(22):2237-2249.

Ferreira MS, Pereira MG. The Mediator Role of Psychological Morbidity in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain in Differentiated Treatments. Journal of Health Psychology 2013;19(9):1197-1207. doi:10.1177/1359105313488970.

Foster NE, Delitto A. Embedding Psychosocial Perspectives Within Clinical Management of Low Back Pain: Integration of Psychosocially Informed Management Principles Into Physical Therapist Practice—Challenges and Opportunities. Physical Therapy.2011;91(5):790-803. doi:10.2522/ptj.20100326.

Hamson-Utley JJ, Martin S, Walters J. Athletic Trainers’ and Physical Therapists’ Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Psychological Skills Within Sport Injury Rehabilitation Programs. Journal of Athletic Training. 2008;43(3):258-264. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-43.3.258.

Heaney CA, Walker NC, Green AJK, Rostron CL. The Impact of a Sport Psychology Education Intervention on Physiotherapists. European Journal of Physiotherapy. 2016;19(2):97-103. doi:10.1080/21679169.2016.1267794.

Heaney CA, Walker NC, Green AJK, Rostron CL. Sport Psychology Education for Sport Injury Rehabilitation Professionals: A Systematic Review. Physical Therapy in Sport.2015;16(1):72-79 doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2014.04.001.

Holden J, Davidson M, O’Halloran P. Motivational Strategies for Returning Patients With Low Back Pain to Usual Activities: A Survey of Physiotherapists Working in Australia. Manual Therapy. 2015;20(6):842-849. doi:10.1016/j.math.2015.04.005.

Ojala T, Häkkinen A, Karppinen J, Sipilä K, Suutama T, Piirainen A. Chronic Pain Affects the Whole Person – A Phenomenological Study. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2014;37(4):363-371. doi:10.3109/09638288.2014.923522.

Pullen S, Gilman K, Hunt K, Lowery A, Vargas LR, Rolle T, Tsoumas A. Physical Therapy as an Adjunct Treatment for People Living With HIV/AIDS: An Allied Health Perspective. Journal of Allied Health. 2014;43(2):11E-17E.

Niven A. Psychological factors in sports injury rehabilitation: Perspectives of sports injury rehabilitation professionals. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2007;8(3):134-140. doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2007.03.002.

Wiese-Bjornstal DM, Smith AM, Shaffer SM, Morrey MA. An integrated model of response to sport injury: Psychological and sociological dynamics. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. 1998;10(1):46-69. doi:10.1080/10413209808406377.

Main CJ, George SZ. Psychosocial influences on low back pain: Why should you care? Physical Therapy. 2011;91(5):609-613. doi:10.2522/ptj.20100329.

Kuittinen M, Merikanto J, Aira T, Ruuskanen U, Arvinen-Barrow M. Physiotherapists’ perceptions of their role in sport injury rehabilitation and recovery: A comparative study between Finland and the UK. European Journal of Physiotherapy.2018;20(3):132-139. doi:10.1080/21679169.2018.1462382.

Podlog L, Eklund RC. The psychological aspects of a return to sport following serious injury: A review of the literature from a self-determination perspective. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2007;8(4):535-566. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2006.07.008.

Quinn AM, Fallon BJ. The psychosocial effects of injury on athletes: Implications for rehabilitation professionals. Journal of Athletic Training. 1999;34(4):393-399.

Downloads

Published

2024-09-21

How to Cite

Adeera Azam, Esha Dilawar, Maham Athar, Aqsa Bashir, Wajeeha Naaz, & Noreen Kiran. (2024). Physiotherapists’ Perspectives on the Importance of Psychological Impact in Sports Injury Rehabilitation: Psychological Impact in Sports Injury Rehabilitation. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(3), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1569