Psychological interventions used in the rehabilitation of the injured athlete

Abstract

Nine psychological techniques used in the rehabilitation of injured athletes were assessed. Fifteen athletic trainers and 68 athletes were asked to rate how valuable each technique was, how skillful the trainer was in using each technique, and how often each technique was used in treatment. A 3 x 11 x 2 (question type x technique x subject type) MANOVA revealed significant main effects for question type F(2,134) = 26.71, p .001 and technique F(10,670) = 15.56, p .001, but not for subject type F(1,67) = 1.81, p =.183. Techniques were more highly valued and trainers were more skilled in employing them than they were used (p .05 for both). Techniques most valued were communicating openly, goal setting, monitoring self talk, emotional counseling, crisis counseling, pain management and relaxation techniques; least valued were breathing techniques and imagery. These findings support the position that psychological interventions are an important part of the rehabilitation of injured athletes.