THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KINESIOPHOBIA, PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE AND BALANCE IN LOWER EXTREMITY LYMPHEDEMA PATIENTS

Abstract

Purpose: Lymphedema is an important situation that causes physical and psychological life-threatening problems. This study researches kinesiophobia in lower extremity patients and scrutinizes the relationship between kinesiophobia, physical performance and balance. Methods: This cross-sectional controlled study included 40 individuals diagnosed with lower extremity lymphedema with a mean age of 42.58±10.30 years and 31 healthy individuals with a mean age of 40.65 ± 9.53 years. The evaluation of patients with unilateral lymphedema without cognitive and visual problems and those without orthopedic and neurological disorders that would prevent walking and those without heart disease and hypertension was carried out between November 2018 and March 2019. Static balance was evaluated with standing on One leg Balance Test, fear of movement was evaluated with Tampa Scale Kinesiophobia and functional levels were evaluated with Timed Up and Go test. Results. Static balance and physical performance of lower extremity lymphedema patients were different from healthy individuals (p<0.05). Static balance and physical performance were lower in these patients than in healthy individuals. Patients with lower extremity lymphedema had a severe fear of movement (37 and above). There was a significant moderate correlation between kinesiophobia and balance (r= -0.536 p= 0.001), kinesiophobia and physical performance (r= 0.522 p= 0.001) in lower extremity lymphedema patients. And this correlation was more in healthy individuals. Conclusions: High fear of movement and decreased physical performance and balance were found in patients with lower extremity lymphedema. Early diagnosis and treatment of complications due to lymphedema is important for the clinical results of this patient group.