Athletic Trainers' and Physical Therapists' Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Psychological Skills Within Sport Injury Rehabilitation Programs (Original Research) (Report‪)‬

Returning athletes to competition after sport injury is a key role of athletic trainers (ATs) and physical therapists (PTs). Negative psychological responses to injury often result in a lack of rehabilitation adherence or prolonged recovery rates (or both), (1) prompting those who work with injured athletes to look for additional strategies to improve the overall rehabilitation process. Psychological skills can be used during sport injury rehabilitation to motivate athletes to adhere to rehabilitation, to increase speed of recovery, to control anxiety levels, and to enhance self-confidence. (2-8) In addition, ATs and PTs are in the best position to educate athletes on the use of psychological interventions to enhance the recovery process. However, those who hold negative attitudes toward certain psychological skills are less likely to implement them during rehabilitation. Thus, receiving formal training probably would increase positive attitudes toward the use of psychological skills and would strengthen the likelihood that they are used during rehabilitation. Research on the knowledge and skills that contribute to the successful rehabilitation of injured athletes indicates that the athletes should be willing to listen, to maintain a positive attitude, and to be intrinsically motivated and willing to learn about the injury and rehabilitation techniques, whereas ATs should have good communication skills, keep athletes involved with their team and coaches, and help athletes set realistic goals. (9) Oddly enough, psychological skills typically used in other areas to improve communication, enhance adherence and motivation, and reduce anxiety have been reported as underused or less important to the rehabilitation process by athletes and athletic training personnel. (10, 11) However, research indicates that psychological skills are not only important but essential during the rehabilitation of injured athletes. (8,12-14) For example, imagery is effective in reducing performance anxiety. (15,16) Thus, imagery and other psychological skills may have a parallel role as anxiety-reduction techniques within sport injury rehabilitation, (8,17,18) especially when athletes feel pressured to return to competition too soon after injury. (10)