Relationships of pain intensity, kinesiophobia and quality of life in chronic subacromial pain syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: Shoulder pain is an important and frequently reported biopsychosocial problem. In addition to physical problems, understanding of psychological problems that contribute to shoulder pain is important for the treatment process. Therefore, the purpose was to investigate the relationship between kinesiophobia, demographic characteristics, pain intensity and quality of life in patients seeking conservative treatment for chronic subacromial pain syndrome Materials and Methods: Patients with chronic shoulder pain who applied to Izmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital were included in the study. Demographic data of the patients were recorded. The pain severity with Visual Analogue Scale, kinesiophobia with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), and quality of life with SF-36 quality of life index were assessed. In statistical analysis, Spearman and Kendall Correlation Analysis were used. Statistical significance level was set at p <0.05. Results: Ninety-five patients, 32 male and 63 female, were included in the study. The median age was 51 (40-61) years, TSK score was 43(38-47), pain at rest was 3(0-5), pain during activity was 7 (5-8), SF-36 physical component (PC) and mental component (MC) scores were 36.50(29.3-42.1) and 42(34.9-49.6), respectively. While there was no difference between the pain (rest pain female/male= 3/2, p=0.054; activity pain female/male= 7/6, p=0.187) and kinesophobia scores (female/male=43/41, p=0.185) between genders, physical (female/male= 34.40 /41.40, p=0.001) and mental components (female/male=37.70/48.45, p<0.001) of quality of life was lower in women. Kinesiophobia score showed correlations with educational level, physical and mental components of quality of life (r= -0.163, p= 0.039; r= -0.499, p< 0.001; r= -0.279, p= 0.006). Conclusion: Patients with subacromial pain syndrome had high kinesiophobia scores. Female and male participants showed similar pain and kinesiophobia, however, quality of life scores were better in male participants. Kinesiophobia showed negative correlations with the level of education, SF-36 scores. It is important to consider kinesiophobia, education level and quality of life integrations in chronic shoulder rehabilitation.