Investigation of the Relationship Between Kinesiophobia and Pain, Quality of Life and Physical Functions in Osteoarthritis Patients

Aim: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative joint disease that is characterised by joint pain and stiffness. The development of kinesiophobia is common in OA patients, especially related to pain and loss of function. The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between kinesiophobia and pain, quality of life and physical functions in patients with knee OA. Material and Method: A total of 60 patients (30 females and 30 males, aged 40-65 years) diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade 2 and 3 OA participated in this cross-sectional study. Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scales and Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), The Five Repetition Sit to Stand Test (5STS) and Stair-Climbing Test (SCT) functional tests were performed. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the male and female groups in all scales and functional test results, with the exception of TSK (p<0.05). A positive correlation was found between kinesiophobia and SCT in the female group, while a negative correlation was found between TUG and SF-12 PCS in the male group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicated that, in general, kinesiophobia was not significantly correlated with pain, knee score, balance, quality of life and functional tests in male and female OA patients. However, some scales and tests showed positive and negative correlations with kinesiophobia in both groups, although limited.