Does a Program Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Affect Kinesiophobia in Patients Following Total Knee Arthroplasty? A Randomized, Controlled Trial With a 6-Month Follow-Up

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the effects of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program on kinesiophobia, knee function, pain and pain catastrophizing in patients following total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: This was a parallel-group, randomized, controlled pilot study in which 100 patients who exhibited kinesiophobia after TKA were randomly assigned to participate in a CBT (experimental group) or standard care (control group) program. Each group included 50 patients. Before intervention (preintervention), 4 weeks after intervention (postintervention), and 6 months after the end of intervention (follow-up), patients were assessed via the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, a numerical rating scale, and the Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating scale. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test the significance of each outcome measure.

Results: The CBT program had significant group (P < .001), time (P < .001), and group-by-time interaction (P < .001) effects on kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, and knee function, and these effects lasted for at least 6 months after the end of the intervention. Pain was reduced in both groups after the intervention, but there were significant time and group effects (P = .003) in favor of the experimental group.

Conclusion: The CBT program was superior to standard care in reducing kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, and knee pain and in enhancing knee function in patients who have a high level of kinesiophobia following TKA. The treatment effect was clinically significant and lasted for at least 6 months after the end of the intervention.

Keywords: catastrophizing; cognitive behavioral therapy; kinesiophobia; randomized controlled trial; total knee arthroplasty.