PhD Scientific Days 2026

Health Sciences 2.

Temporal Dynamics of Psychological and Physical Recovery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Longitudinal Study of Early Rehabilitation

Előadó neve

Simon-Szabó, Daniella, MSc

Neptune code

I1NRQT

Előadó munkahelye

Semmelweis University Doctoral School, Mental Health Sciences Division, National Institute for Sports Medicine, Budapest

Előadó telefonszáma

06305424205

Előadó e-mail címe

szabo.daniella@stud.semmelweis.hu

Az előadás címe

Temporal Dynamics of Psychological and Physical Recovery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Longitudinal Study of Early Rehabilitation

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Daniella Simon-Szabó¹, Szilvia Ádám²

1: Semmelweis University Doctoral School, Mental Health Sciences Division, National Institute for Sports Medicine, Budapest
2: Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University

Bemutatás módja

Szóbeli

Szekció

Health Sciences 2.

Language of the presentation

Hungarian

Preferred session

Health Sciences

Összefoglaló szövege

Introduction
Return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains inconsistent despite measurable improvements in physical parameters. Emerging evidence highlights the role of psychological factors in shaping recovery outcomes; however, the temporal interplay between physical recovery and psychological processes during early rehabilitation remains insufficiently understood. This early phase represents a critical period during which physical and psychological recovery trajectories may diverge, influencing later functional outcomes.

Aims
This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship between physical recovery and key psychological variables during the early rehabilitation phase following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, with particular focus on emotional distress, pain-related fear, return-to-sport confidence, and knee-related quality of life.

Methods
In this prospective longitudinal study, patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (N=52) were assessed at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Physical parameters included knee flexion, extension deficit, and thigh circumference. Psychological variables were assessed using validated self-report instruments measuring emotional distress, pain-related fear, return-to-sport confidence, and knee-related quality of life. Data were analysed using non-parametric tests, Spearman correlations, and robust linear regression models to account for potential deviations from normality and outliers.

Results
Physical parameters improved significantly between weeks 6 and 12, however, full functional restoration was not achieved within this period. Emotional distress showed significant negative associations with return-to-sport confidence and quality of life at both time points, with stronger correlations observed at week 12. Pain-related fear demonstrated small, non-significant associations with distress at week 6 but became significantly correlated by week 12, indicating an increasing psychological burden over time. Sex-stratified analyses revealed that pain-related fear significantly predicted emotional distress among female participants, whereas no significant predictive effect was observed in males.

University

Semmelweis University

Supervisor

Szilvia Ádám

Publication of my abstract

I give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.

phd.section.field

in doctoral studies after complex exam (PhD)

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

szóbeli

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

jóváhagyta

Előadó

9011

Start

16:45

End

16:55