Association of Non-Surgical Interventions for Groin Pain, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Groin pain is a common issue among athletes, impacting performance and quality of life. Traditional treatments often include surgery or long-term medication, which can have significant drawbacks. Given these challenges, there is increasing interest in exploring the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of non-surgical interventions in reducing groin pain and improving physical function and quality of life in athletes.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved 57 athletes suffering from groin pain. Participants underwent a 12-week non-surgical treatment program consisting of physical therapy and targeted exercise regimens. Outcomes were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, a specific functional scale for physical function, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) for quality of life. Data analysis was performed using paired t-tests and regression models to assess changes from baseline to post-intervention, with SPSS version 25.

Results: The study recorded significant improvements post-treatment: VAS pain scores decreased from 6.5 ± 1.4 to 4.2 ± 1.3 (p < 0.001), physical function scores improved from 55 ± 15 to 75 ± 12 (p < 0.001), and SF-36 quality of life scores increased from 60 ± 10 to 80 ± 8 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Non-surgical interventions were effective in significantly reducing groin pain and enhancing physical function and quality of life among athletes. These findings suggest that non-surgical treatments can be a viable alternative to more invasive methods, supporting their integration into clinical practice for managing groin pain in athletes.