Effect of Kinesiophobia on Functional Outcome in Patients with Total Knee Replacement- a Comparative Study

Abstract

Total knee replacement has been found as an effective measure to reduce pain and improve function in cases of severe osteoarthritis. Kinesiophobia is an important factor that affects the function in total knee replacement patients. The purpose of the study was to determine if kinesiophobia had an effect on functional outcome by comparing pain, active knee range of motion and function between high and low kinesiophobia groups in TKR patients. In this comparative study, 12 patients who underwent Total knee replacement with postoperative days 3-7 were recruited from hospitals by convenience sampling method. Patients were assessed for kinesiophobia by Tampa scale of kinesiophobia, pain was assessed at rest and on movement using NPRS scale, active knee range of motion was measured using Goniometer and function was assessed using 4-item DGI. After all measurements were taken patients were grouped into high kinesiophobia (n=6) and low kinesiophobia group (n=6) depending upon the score and pain, active knee range of motion and function were compared between these two groups. Unpaired t test was conducted to compare the pain at rest (p=0.0158), pain on movement (p=0.0015), active knee range of motion (p=0.0138) and 4-item DGI (p=0.0138) score between high and low kinesiophobia groups which showed statistically significant difference in these variables. These results suggest that kinesiophobia have an impact on the early functional outcome after total knee replacement surgery. Hence, these patients should be screened for kinesiophobia and rehabilitation should be programmed considering kinesiophobia.