Relationship Between Physical Activity, Kinesiophobia, Anxiety And Depression In University Students With Primary Dysmenorrhea: Findings From The Covid-19 Isolation Period

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of physical activity, kinesiophobia, anxiety, and depression among university students experiencing primary dysmenorrhea during the period of social isolation and to examine the relationships among these variables. Methods: 272 female students from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Health Sciences participated in this cross-sectional, online survey study. Assessments included the Visual Analogue Scale, Menstrual Symptom Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory. Data were collected during the COVID-19 social isolation period. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation. Results: Overall, 50.2% of students reported severe primary dysmenorrhea. Menstrual symptoms showed a moderate positive correlation with pain (r=0.639, p<0.01), and weak positive correlations with trait anxiety (r=0.191, p<0.05) and depression (r=0.276, p<0.01). Kinesiophobia negatively correlated with physical activity (r=–0.137, p<0.05) and state anxiety (r=–0.179, p<0.01), and positively with depression (r=0.285, p<0.01). Conclusion: The period of social isolation appears to have affected students both in terms of physical activity and psychological well-being. A relationship was observed between physical activity level and kinesiophobia. On the other hand, the impact on psychological parameters may also have influenced physical parameters. Implementing exercise-based interventions may improve physical activity and kinesiophobia while also contributing to psychological parameters.