Relationship Between Kinesiophobia and Fear of Falling in Patients Suffering from Stroke Leading to Physical Disability in Selected Rehabilitation Center of Bangladesh

Background: Psychological barriers in stroke rehabilitation remain understudied in low-resource settings. This cross-sectional study examines relationships between kinesiophobia, fear of falling (FOF), and physical disability in Bangladeshi stroke patients. Methods: Using validated Bangla versions of WHODAS 2.0 (12-item), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-17), and Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), we assessed 200 patients from two rehabilitation centers. Pearson correlations and linear regression analyzed associations between psychological factors and disability. Results: Participants showed moderate-severe scores: WHODAS 2.0 (M = 43.65 ±6.78), TSK (M = 47.26 ±5.44), FES-I (M = 49.12 ±7.20). Strong correlations emerged between WHODAS-FES-I (r = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.58–0.71) and TSK-FES-I (r = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.47–0.62). Regression models identified age ≥56 (β = 0.34, p = 0.002) and female gender (β = 0.28, p = 0.008) as significant predictors of higher psychological scores. Conclusion: Psychological factors strongly correlate with physical disability in Bangladeshi stroke survivors, with demographic predictors suggesting the need for gender- and age-specific interventions. Study limitations include recruitment from two urban centers and a cross-sectional design. Integration of psychological assessment in rehabilitation protocols is recommended.