Kinesiophobia Level in Fibromyalgia Patients and Its Relationship with Cognitive Functions, Anxiety, Depression, Disease Activity and Pain Level

Healthcare (Basel). 2026 Apr 24;14(9):1137. doi: 10.3390/healthcare14091137.

ABSTRACT

Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the status of kinesiophobia in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to evaluate its relationship with cognitive functions, anxiety, depression, disease severity, and pain level.

Methods: Fifty FMS patients (mean age 44.06 years; range 18 to 60 years) were included in the study. Fifty healthy participants (mean age 42.04 years; range 18 to 60 years) were included in the study as a control group. Participant recruitment for the study was conducted in a state hospital in Türkiye. Disease severity level in the FMS group was assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) was administered to determine the participants' kinesiophobia status. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess the participants' anxiety and depression status. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was administered to assess cognitive functions.

Results: TSK, HADS-Anxiety, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and FIQ scores were higher in the FMS group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). MoCA total scores, MoCA-Visuospatial/Executive, and MoCA-Attention scores were higher in the control group (p < 0.05). There was a weak positive correlation between TSK and FIQ scores in the FMS group (p: 0.02, r: 0.31). There was a weak negative correlation between TSK and MoCA-Naming scores in the FMS group (p: 0.02, r: -0.31).

Conclusions: Increased kinesiophobia was found in FMS patients compared to the general population. It was determined that the level of kinesiophobia in FMS patients was related to disease severity and naming-related cognitive functions. Clinicians dealing with FMS should take this into particular consideration.

PMID:42121580 | DOI:10.3390/healthcare14091137