Comparison of Kinesiophobia in Sedentary Individuals with Non-Traumatic Upper and Lower Extremity Injuries: A Retrospective Study

Objective: This study aimed to compare kinesiophobia (fear of activities) in sedentary individuals with non-traumatic lower extremity and upper extremity injuries and to examine associated factors. Materials and Methods: The study included 111 individuals diagnosed with overuse injuries and complaining of pain in their lower or upper extremities. Information regarding age, height, body weight, lower and upper extremity injury status, and affected side was obtained from the individuals' medical records. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale, and fear of movement was assessed using the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale. Individuals were divided into two groups; those with upper and lower extremity injuries. The relationships between Tampa score and age, body weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), duration of complaint, rest pain, and activity pain were examined using Spearman's ordinal correlation coefficient. Results: No difference was found between the groups in terms of age, body weight, height, BMI, duration of complaint, rest pain, activity pain, and Tampa score (p=0.369; p=0.601; p=0.551; p=0.142; p=0.066; p=0.481; p=0.290; p=0.178). There was a difference between the groups in terms of night pain score (p=0.031). There was a difference between the groups in terms of the affected extremity (p=0.002). There was no difference between the groups in terms of the dominant side of the extremity (p=0.145). No significant correlation was found between the Tampa score and age, body weight, height, Body Mass Index, duration of complaints, rest pain, or activity pain (all p>0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that non-traumatic injuries to the lower and upper extremities did not cause a difference in kinesiophobia, and activity fear was similar in these two groups. Furthermore, kinesiophobia was not associated with age, body weight, height, BMI, duration of complaints, rest pain, or activity pain.