Research Article

Assessing the Association between Pain Catastrophizing and Functional Recovery in Injured Athletes

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Pain perception in injured athletes is influenced by both physical injury and psychological factors. Pain  catastrophizing, characterized by rumination, magnification, and feelings of helplessness, has been associated with increased pain intensity, delayed rehabilitation, and poorer return-to-sport outcomes. Despite growing evidence, the relationship between pain catastrophizing and functional recovery in athletes remains underexplored. This study aimed to examine pain catastrophizing and functional recovery patterns in injured athletes using standardized outcome measures.
Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study design was used. Data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire from injured athletes who had received rehabilitation. Convenience sampling was applied, and participants who met the
inclusion criteria were recruited. The questionnaire included demographic information, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) to assess pain-related cognitions, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH)
questionnaire to measure functional recovery based on injury location, and the Global Rating of Change (GROC) scale to assess perceived recovery. Descriptive data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 24.0).
Results: The findings indicated a higher proportion of younger participants, suggesting a possible relationship with increased activity levels. PCS results demonstrated variability in pain perception, with some participants reporting moderate to high psychological distress, while most perceived their pain as manageable. Functional outcome measures showed that although injuries affected specific daily and sport-related activities, most participants maintained relatively good functional ability in both lower and upper extremities, as reflected by LEFS and DASH scores. GROC responses revealed a predominantly positive perception of recovery at the time of assessment. 
Conclusion: Most participants reported manageable pain levels, good functional ability, and a positive perception of recovery; however, a subset of athletes experienced moderate to high psychological distress related to pain. This variability highlights individual differences in pain perception and coping responses during recovery. Overall, the findings suggest that pain catastrophizing may be an important consideration when interpreting functional recovery in injured athletes, supporting the relevance of a biopsychosocial perspective in
rehabilitation.