The efficacy of psychosocial factors in predicting pain and functional outcomes following knee replacement surgery.

Psychosocial variables can help to explain patient ■ outcomes following total knee replacement. In particular, lower levels of depressive symptomatol ■ ogy and dysfunctional coping, and higher levels of education, problem-focused coping, internal health locus of control and perceived adequacy of assistance from others were predictive of enhanced outcomes at 6 months postsurgery. Rehabilitation providers should consider the merit of ■ incorporating and evaluating psychosocial screening tools to identify individuals at risk of poor outcomes. Research is needed on the effectiveness of interven ■ tions targeting these psychosocial variables. Rehabilitation providers should consider the merit ■ of incorporating interventions such as coping skills training into existing programmes to improve postsurgery outcomes.