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

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). Part..