Kinesiophobia and its association with balance and mobility in knee osteoarthritis patients in Rawalpindi & Islamabad

Abstract

Objective:
 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of fear avoidance belief or kinesiophobia with balance and mobility in knee osteoarthritis patients.
 Materials and methods:
 This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in Fauji Foundation Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi/Islamabad from January 2019 to June 2019. A total of 64 knee osteoarthritis patients (both male and female) between the ages of 40- 60 years were included in this study. They were selected using the Kallgren Lawrence Classification system (Grade I, II and III) and American College of Rheumatology criteria. Fear avoidance belief questionnaire was used to identify fear avoidance belief/kinesiophobia, Step-up test and Functional Reach test were used to measure balance and timed up and go test was used to measure mobility. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to find out the normal distribution. The relationship between fear avoidance belief and balance and mobility was examined using Spearman’s test of correlation.
 Results:
 Results showed a weak negative correlation between fear avoidance belief and functional reach test (r= -0.259, P= 0.039), and a weak positive correlation between fear avoidance belief and timed up and go test (r= 0.26, P= 0.841).
 Conclusion:
 Balance and mobility are negatively affected by fear avoidance beliefs in knee osteoarthritic patients. Thus, fear avoidance belief is an important psychological construct to be considered in the assessment and treatment of knee osteoarthritic patients to prevent balance impairments and fall risk.

Effectiveness of Maitland Mobilization versus Pain release phenomena for pain, range of motion and disability in early knee osteoarthritis

“…A survey by Global Burden of Disease on knee osteoarthritis showed that 3.8% suffered globally knee OA in which the highest ratio was found in Asia Pacific high income countries while this ratio was gradually decreased in United states and South Asia respectively 3 . Study conducted in Twin cities identified the association of knee OA with poor quality of life and history of fall 4 .…”