Evaluation of Kinesiophobia and Fatigue Levels of Patients Who Have Undergone Open Heart Surgery

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the kinesiophobia and fatigue levels of patients who underwent open heart surgery. Methods: The study was conducted with 176 patients who underwent traditional open heart surgery in the cardiovascular surgery clinic of a hospital located in Trabzon, Turkey. The data were gathered using a personal information form, the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, and the Piper Fatigue Scale. Result: It was determined that patients had high levels of kinesiophobia and moderate levels of fatigue. A statistically meaningful difference was found between mean total Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale scores and age and employment status and between the mean total Piper Fatigue Scale scores and subscale scores of patients according to gender, body mass index, and employment status. There was a statistically significant positive and moderate correlation between patients’ Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale scores and the behavioral, affectivity, and sensory subscales and total score of the Piper Fatigue Scale while there was significant, positive, and weak correlation with the cognitive subscale of the Piper Fatigue Scale. Conclusion: Considering the kinesiophobia and fatigue levels of patients undergoing open heart surgery in the nursing care process before and after surgery may be useful for the performance of physical activities that will contribute to recovery.