Kinesiophobia, self-efficacy and pain-related disability in patients with non-specific low back pain

Abstract

Psychological factors like kinesiophobia and self-efficacy have been shown to be associated with pain and disability perception in patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). The association among extent of kinesiophobia, self efficacy, pain intensity and disability in patients presenting with NSLBP and the predictor of disability among pain intensity, self-efficacy and kinesiophobia in these patients were investigated in this study.

The research design was an analytical cross sectional survey involving 275 consecutively selected individuals diagnosed with NSLBP at a tertiary hospital in southwestern Nigeria. The main outcome measures used were: Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Revised Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (RODQ) and Self-Efficacy in Rehabilitation Scale (SER).

The mean age of the participants was 51.62±13.4 years. The extent of kinesiophobia and measure of selfefficacy were high and above average as seen in 71.7% and 94.3% of the participants respectively. The mean scores on TSK, RODQ, SER and pain intensity were 39.45±5.91, 36.98±15.97, 98.68±21.4 and 7.35±1.94 respectively. Participants with high scores on TSK had significantly high scores on RODQ and low scores on SER. There was a significant positive association between extent of kinesiophobia, disability and selfefficacy (p<0.05). Self-efficacy, pain intensity and kinesiophobia significantly predicted extent of disability (p<0.05).

Patients with NSLBP exhibited fear of re-injury (kinesiophobia). Patients with high level of kinesiophobia had increased pain intensity and reduced self-efficacy. High levels of kinesiophobia accompanied by increased pain intensity and decreased self-efficacy were significant predictors of pain related disability in patients with NSLBP.

Keywords: Non-specific low back pain, self-efficacy, kinesiophobia, perceived disability