Characteristics of Kinesiophobia in Male and Female Patients with Musculoskeletal Disorders

Abstract

Background. Studying the characteristics of kinesiophobia in patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) during the rehabilitation period allows to expand our understanding of the psychological factors influencing the success of the rehabilitation process. This aspect seems particularly significant due to the high prevalence of such disorders and the importance of their comprehensive restoration. A sedentary lifestyle makes its negative contribution to the increase in the number of MSDs. It is also worth noting that providing psychological support to combat veterans after injuries is currently a pressing issue in psychological practice. An important component of rehabilitation is not only physical recovery but also psychological support, as emotional state directly influences the success of rehabilitation measures.

Objectives. The study had its purpose to investigate the characteristics of kinesiophobia in men and women with MSD.

Study Participants. The study involved 30 men and 30 women (N = 60) aged 37 to 59 years (M = 45.6; SD = 11.5) after reconstructive surgeries, patients of the traumatology department of the State Budgetary Healthcare Institution "City Clinical Hospital No. 1 named after N.I. Pirogov".

Methods. The study implemented standardized survey methods: the Tamp Scale for measuring kinesiophobia; the Visual Analogue Pain Scale; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); the Integrative Anxiety Test by Bizuk, Wasserman, Iovlev; and the Compliance Level questionnaire by Kadyrov. Statistical data processing included comparative and correlation analysis using the Mann — Whitney test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Results. The study yielded data on the characteristics of kinesiophobia in men and women with MSDs. No significant differences in the severity of kinesiophobia were found between the male and female groups, either for the overall score or for individual components — physical and psychological. The study revealed specific relationships between kinesiophobia and depression as well as statistically significant differences between the study groups in particular parameters of personal anxiety. Moderate pain was the predominant rating in both groups. Assessment of compliance parameters revealed that women were characterized by higher levels of emotional compliance compared to men.

Conclusions. Patients with MSDs demonstrate a number of gender-specific characteristics during rehabilitation. Thus, women exhibit a correlation between depression levels and general levels of kinesiophobia as well as its physical component. They are characterized by higher general anxiety and emotional compliance compared to men. During rehabilitation, female patients with MSDs experience increased fear of movement, heightened social anxiety and tend to be more concerned about treatment outcomes. Men during this period are characterized by an emphasis on the physical component of kinesiophobia, which is associated with situational anxiety, accompanied by asthenic symptoms, a sense of threat, and a lack of self-confidence.

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