Physical therapy is standard for post-ACL surgical rehabilitation, though such protocols normally do NOT address directly athletes' psychological responses to the injury, surgery, and recovery. In fact, most athletes, at some point during their injury and/or post-surgery, will experience a range of emotional responses, including anxiety, depression, tension, irritability, loss of confidence, and loss of self-esteem. Such emotional reactions can negatively affect the athletes' overall psychological well-being as well as their physical healing and rehabilitation.
What is the purpose of our study?
- Physical therapy is standard for post-ACL surgical rehabilitation, though such protocols normally do NOT address directly athletes' psychological responses to the injury, surgery, and recovery. In fact, most athletes, at some point during their injury and/or post-surgery, will experience a range of emotional responses, including anxiety, depression, tension, irritability, loss of confidence, and loss of self-esteem. Such emotional reactions can negatively affect the athletes' overall psychological well-being as well as their physical healing and rehabilitation.
- Thus, the purpose of our study is test the effectiveness of three different psychological interventions. Our protocols have been designed to help athletes improve their:
- physical rehabilitation post ACL surgery,
- psychological reactions to their injury and what they are feeling post-surgery,
- overall psychological well-being as they progress through their recovery, and
- confidence in returning to sport.
What are the potential benefits for athletes who participate in the study?
- Although the specific effects of the intervention may vary from athlete to athlete, generally athletes may expect to experience:
- Decreases in perception of pain
- Decreases in reinjury anxiety
- Decreases in depressive symptoms
- Improvement in knee strength and functioning
- Increased confidence in returning to sport
- Improvements in ability to cope effectively with the physical and psychological challenges associated with rehabilitation
- ENHANCED SPORT PERFORMANCE after physically being cleared to return to sport
How do I determine if I am eligible for the study?
If you are an athlete who has torn your ACL and you are interested in returning to sport post-surgery, then you may be eligible for the study. To determine your eligibility, please contact our research staff at:
Email: sportpsych@unt.edu
Phone: 940-369-7767
When contacting us please include the following information: your name, best way to reach you (phone, email, text), date of your surgery (if known), and the name of your doctor.