Physical Therapy in Sport
Volume 9, Issue 1 , Pages 9-15, February 2008

Development and preliminary validation of a scale to measure the psychological impact of returning to sport following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery

Musculoskeletal Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia

Received 29 August 2006; received in revised form 19 September 2007; accepted 20 September 2007.

Abstract 

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to measure the psychological impact of returning to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery.

Main outcome measure

Three types of psychological responses believed to be associated with resumption of sport following athletic injury—emotions, confidence in performance, and risk appraisal—were incorporated into a 12-item ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale.

Participants

Two hundred and twenty participants who had undergone ACL reconstruction completed the scale between 8 and 22 months following surgery.

Results

The scale was shown to have acceptable reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.92). Participants who had given up sport scored significantly lower on the scale (reflecting a more negative psychological response) than those who had returned or were planning to return to sport (p<0.001).

Conclusion

It was concluded that the decision to return to sport after ACL reconstruction is associated with a significant psychological response. Preliminary reliability and validity was found for the ACL-RSI scale. This scale may help to identify athletes who will find sport resumption difficult.

Keywords: Psychological responses, Athletic injury, Knee surgery, Rehabilitation

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PII: S1466-853X(07)00097-1

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2007.09.003

Physical Therapy in Sport
Volume 9, Issue 1 , Pages 9-15, February 2008

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