Factors Associated with Kinesiophobia in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Purpose This study aims to determine factors affecting kinesiophobia in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and Methods The fear of movement was measured using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia in 60 patients with knee OA. Pain intensity was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale, quality of life with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), disability with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), anxiety and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), balance with the Berg Balance Scale, mobility with the Timed Up and Go Test, and the physical activity status was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results Physical mobility and emotional reactions subscales of NHP, all WOMAC subscales and the HADS depression subscale were significantly related to kinesiophobia. Muscle strength, ROM, level of physical activity, balance, mobility and anxiety were not significantly related to kinesiophobia. Quality of life and disability explained 34.4% of the variation in the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. Conclusions Kinesiophobia was associated with quality of life, disability and depression. It may be useful for clinicians to pay attention to the evaluation of psychosocial characteristics instead of physical performance parameters in order to increase treatment success in OA patients.