Kinesiophobia in COPD has two main subtypes—dyspnea-related and pain-related—with limited subtype-specific interventions like CBT and mindfulness reported in 27 studies.
This scoping review maps the literature on kinesiophobia in COPD, identifying dyspnea- and pain-related subtypes and highlighting the need for standardized screening and targeted management.
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Research Aims and Objectives: This scoping review aims to systematically map the existing body of literature on kinesiophobia (fear of movement) in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Kinesiophobia is increasingly recognized as a critical psychological barrier that significantly undermines pulmonary rehabilitation adherence and physical activity, yet a comprehensive synthesis of the evidence is lacking. Our primary objective is to provide a broad overview of the current research landscape to clarify key concepts, identify evidence gaps, and inform future clinical practice and research. The specific review questions guiding this project are: How is kinesiophobia manifested and conceptualized in the COPD population? What validated tools are used to assess kinesiophobia in COPD? What sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors are associated with or influence the development and severity of kinesiophobia in COPD? What interventions have been evaluated to address kinesiophobia in COPD, and what are their reported outcomes? 2. Methodology: This review is conducted according to the established methodological framework for scoping studies by Arksey & O'Malley (2005) and follows the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting guidelines. The process involves five iterative stages: Stage 1: Identifying the Research Question (as defined above). Stage 2: Identifying Relevant Studies: A systematic search was performed from inception to March 2025 across seven electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP). The search strategy, developed with librarian support, combined Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free-text keywords for the population ("COPD") and the concept ("kinesiophobia", "fear of movement", "fear avoidance"). Stage 3: Study Selection: Two independent reviewers screened titles/abstracts and full texts against pre-defined eligibility criteria. Studies were included if they involved adults with COPD, investigated kinesiophobia or closely related constructs, and were primary research in English or Chinese. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or a third reviewer. Stage 4: Charting the Data: Data from included studies were extracted using a standardized form, capturing study characteristics, definitions and manifestations of kinesiophobia, assessment tools, associated factors, and intervention details. Stage 5: Collating, Summarizing, and Reporting the Results: The extracted data were analyzed using descriptive quantitative and narrative thematic synthesis to address the review questions. 3. Anticipated Outcomes and Significance: This review will synthesize evidence from 27 identified studies. Expected outcomes include: A clear delineation of two primary subtypes of kinesiophobia in COPD: dyspnea-related and pain-related. A critical summary of the primary measurement tools used (e.g., Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Breathlessness Beliefs Questionnaire), their psychometric properties, and diagnostic challenges. A comprehensive map of the multifactorial determinants of kinesiophobia, spanning sociodemographic, physiological, disease-related, and psychosocial domains. A summary of the current, albeit limited, intervention landscape, highlighting subtype-specific approaches (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy for dyspnea-related fear, mindfulness for pain-related fear). The significance of this work lies in its potential to: For Clinicians: Raise awareness of kinesiophobia as a central treatable trait in COPD and provide a foundation for integrating standardized screening and targeted management into routine care. For Researchers: Identify critical evidence gaps (e.g., need for COPD-specific assessment tools, mechanism-driven interventions) and establish a clear agenda for future high-quality studies. For the Field: Consolidate a currently fragmented evidence base into a coherent framework, ultimately contributing to breaking the fear-avoidance cycle and improving physical activity and quality of life for people living with COPD.
Yin et al. (Thu,) reported a other. Kinesiophobia in COPD has two main subtypes—dyspnea-related and pain-related—with limited subtype-specific interventions like CBT and mindfulness reported in 27 studies.