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OBJECTIVE: This review aims to synthesise evidence on the predictive role of self-reported psychological readiness measures in return to sport (RTS) after sports injury. METHODS: The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) statement, employing both electronic database searches (including Web of Science, Psychology (2) articles utilising psychological readiness for RTS scales in their research. The exclusion criteria included the following: (1) articles unrelated to sports injury topics; (2) articles about concussions; (3) psychological readiness unrelated to RTS; (4) grey literature; (5) review studies; (6) articles utilising psychological readiness for RTS scales that were non-English translations; and (7) articles examined mental states after sport injuries using only one type of measure, either emotional or self-efficacy rather than a comprehensive assessment. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: Sixty-two relevant studies were included. The results of the systematic review indicated that psychological readiness self-assessments can be categorised into four key domains: 1) predicting physical recovery outcomes (n = 24), 2) predicting return to sport practices (n = 18), 3) predicting quality of life-related to injury and reinjury rates (n = 7), and 4) predicting post-return sport performance levels and physical activity levels (n = 13). CONCLUSION: This review underscores the value of psychological readiness assessments as predictors of RTS outcomes. The findings support their clinical utility, while also highlighting the need for further research into injury-specific and objective measures to enhance assessment accuracy. This systematic review has been registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42025642947).
Liu et al. (Mon,) studied this question.