title: Psychosocial factors in sports injury rehabilitation and return to play.
abstract: This article discusses the principles and practices that guide psychological intervention with injury, and encourages a psychological approach to injury for clinicians. Part 1 reviews the research literature, and serves as a foundation for the review of clinical practices in part 2. Examination of the research literature highlights 4 areas: (1) psychological factors influencing rehabilitation, (2) social factors affecting rehabilitation, (3) performance concerns among returning athletes, and (4) tools/inventories for assessing psychological readiness to return. A synopsis of an injury intervention plan is provided, and the influence of pain and fear in the rehabilitation process is described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, 250 South 1850 East, Room 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. Electronic address: les.podlog@utah.edu.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Podlog
authors.affiliation: Psychological Health Roanoke, 2840 Electric Road, Suite 200, Roanoke, VA 24018, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heil
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, 250 South 1850 East, Room 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulte
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Cognitions; Denial; Distress; Fear of injury; Intervention plan; Pain; Social support