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. 2021 Jul 8;16(7):e0254262.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254262. eCollection 2021.

Kinesiophobia and its correlations with pain, proprioception, and functional performance among individuals with chronic neck pain

Faisal Asiri  1 , Ravi Shankar Reddy  1 , Jaya Shanker Tedla  1 , Mohammad A ALMohiza  2 , Mastour Saeed Alshahrani  1 , Shashikumar Channmgere Govindappa  3 , Devika Rani Sangadala  1
Affiliations

Kinesiophobia and its correlations with pain, proprioception, and functional performance among individuals with chronic neck pain

Faisal Asiri et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Chronic neck pain (CNP) incidence in the general population is high and contributes to a significant health problem. Kinesiophobia (fear of pain to movement or re-injury) combined with emotions and physical variables may play a vital role in assessing and managing individuals with CNP. The study's objectives are 1) to evaluate the relationship between kinesiophobia, neck pain intensity, proprioception, and functional performance; 2) to determine if kinesiophobia predicts pain intensity, proprioception, and functional performance among CNP individuals. Sixty-four participants with CNP (mean age 54.31 ± 9.41) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The following outcome measures were evaluated: Kinesiophobia using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), neck pain intensity using the visual analog scale (VAS), cervical proprioceptive joint position errors (in flexion, extension, and rotation directions) using cervical range of motion (CROM) device and handgrip strength as a measure of functional performance using the Baseline® hydraulic hand dynamometer. Kinesiophobia showed a strong positive correlation with neck pain intensity (r = 0.81, p<0.001), a mild to a moderate positive correlation with proprioception joint position errors (JPE) in extension, rotation left and right directions (p<0.05), but no correlation in flexion direction (p = 0.127). Also, there was a moderate negative correlation with handgrip strength (r = -0.65, p<0.001). Regression analysis proved that kinesiophobia was a significant predictor of pain intensity, proprioception, and functional performance (p<0.05). This study infers that kinesiophobia in individuals with CNP predicts pain, proprioception, and functional performance. Kinesiophobia assessment should be considered in regular clinical practice to understand the barriers that can influence rehabilitation outcomes in CNP individuals.

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Conflict of interest statement

No authors have competing interests.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Cervical proprioception assessment using a cervical range of motion device.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Handgrip strength evaluation using a handheld dynamometer.
Fig 3
Fig 3. The relationship between kinesiophobia, pain intensity, functional performance, and proprioception JPEs in flexion, extension, left and right rotation.
(n = 64). VAS = Visual analog scale; TSK = Tempa scale of kinesiophobia; JPE = Joint position error.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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