Influence of kinesiophobia on functional mobility and quality of life among individuals with chronic knee osteoarthritis in Kano, Nigeria.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the influence of kinesiophobia on functional mobility and quality of life (QoL) among individuals with chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA) in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional design study involved 86 participants comprising 65 females (75.3%) and 21 males (24.7%) with diagnosed knee OA. Biodemographic data of participants, weight, and height were measured and recorded. Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK 11), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Short-Form Health Survey (SF- 12) to measure fear of movement, functional ability, and QoL respectively were used. Results: The mean age and BMI of the participants were 56.25 ± 8.92 years and 33.17 ± 5.13 kg/m² respectively, while the mean OA duration was 20.85 ± 16.5 months. The results of this study showed that participants had a high mean kinesiophobia score of 38.21 ± 5.25 with poor overall functional mobility (52.28 ± 12.0) and quality of life scores (37.49 ± 11.8). The overall QoL and functional mobility scores had a negative relationship with kinesiophobia (r = -0.377, p = 0.000; r = -0.504, p = 0.0514) respectively. The result also showed a significant negative relationship between kinesiophobia and physical and mental components of QoL (r = -0.217, p = 0.045, r = -0.252, p = 0.019) respectively. Conclusion: This study concluded that kinesiophobia negatively affects the functional ability and QoL of individuals with chronic knee osteoarthritis. Thus, clinicians should use treatment strategies that will help reduce fear among knee OA persons during rehabilitation.