Psychological factors show limited association with the severity of Achilles tendinopathy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the association between psychosocial factors and the severity of Achilles tendinopathy, along with exploring their potential link to the pain's duration. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 111 individuals with Achilles tendon pain was conducted. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 111 individuals with Achilles tendon pain was conducted. Various psychological factors were assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale (CPSS), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). Additionally, the severity of Achilles tendon pain was evaluated using the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A-Br). Regression analyses were employed to determine the association of these psychosocial factors with pain severity and duration. RESULTS: Self-efficacy for chronic pain showed a slight association with Achilles tendon pain severity (ß = 0.42 [95% CI: 0.06 to 0.16], p = 0.001), explaining only 19% of the dependent variable. The other variables, including anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, and fear of movement, did not exhibit significant associations. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that psychological factors demonstrate limited association with the severity of Achilles tendinopathy. While self-efficacy for chronic pain was weakly associated, its clinical relevance remains uncertain. Future research, particularly longitudinal studies, should explore the influence of psychosocial factors on treatment adherence and response to enhance management strategies for Achilles tendon pain.

Biopsychosocial Model Domains in Clinical Practice Guidelines for Return to Sport After ACL Injury: Systematic Review Using the AGREE II Checklist.

CONTEXT: The current status of return-to-sport (RTS) criteria can be understood from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), which emphasizes an individual-centered approach and inclusion of all domains of human functioning, and ensures the multifactorial and biopsychosocial nature of decision-making. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the inclusion of biopsychosocial model domains in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for RTS after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, as well as the quality of these CPGs. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of CPGs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1. SEARCH STRATEGY: Two independent reviewers developed the search strategy, and a third reviewer corrected and compiled the developed strategies used. DATA SOURCES: Ovid/Medline, Embase, and PEDro without restriction dates. STUDY SELECTION: CPGs for RTS after ACL injury at any age or sport level, and published in English. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent reviewers codified the RTS criteria recommended in the CPGs according to the ICF domains, and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II Checklist) was used for critical appraisal. RESULTS: A total of 715 records were identified, and 7 CPGs were included. Frequency distribution of the biopsychosocial model domains was as follows: body functions (37.77%), activity and participation (20.00%), body structure (13.33%), environmental factors (11.11%), and personal factors (8.88%). In the AGREE II Checklist, the lowest mean domain scores were for rigor of development (37.86 ± 36.35) and applicability (49.29 ± 22.30), and 71.42% were of low or moderate quality. CONCLUSION: The CPGs cannot address the biopsychosocial model domains satisfactorily and some do not address all the ICF conceptual model components, emphasizing body functions and activity and participation domains. Therefore, the functioning model advocated by the World Health Organization has not yet been adequately incorporated into the recommendations for RTS after ACL injury. Moreover, most CPGs are of limited quality.