Combined functional rehabilitation and mindfulness based interventions for return to sport and recovery after musculoskeletal injury in athletes A systematic review

This systematic review will evaluate the effects of combined functional rehabilitation (e.g., physiotherapy/exercise therapy) and mindfulness-/meditation-based interventions (e.g., MBSR, mindfulness meditation, breathing-based mindfulness, yoga, ACT-informed programs) on return-to-sport outcomes and multidimensional recovery in athletes with musculoskeletal injuries. We will include controlled trials (randomized and, if applicable, quasi-randomized designs) published within the last 10 years. Primary outcomes will include return to sport/play/participation (e.g., RTS/RTP confidence or readiness when direct return is not reported) and functional recovery. Secondary outcomes will include pain, physical function/performance measures, and psychological outcomes (e.g., kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, stress, anxiety, depression, coping). Risk of bias will be assessed using RoB 2 (for randomized trials). Findings will be synthesized narratively and, if data permit, quantitatively.