Latent profile analysis of kinesiophobia and influencing factors among middle-aged stroke patients during the recovery period

Objective To explore latent kinesiophobia profiles in middle-aged stroke patients during the recovery phase and to identify factors associated with profile membership. Methods This cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling to recruit middle-aged stroke patients in the recovery phase from six tertiary hospitals in Wuhan between May 15 and September 15, 2025. Patients completed a general information questionnaire, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), the Stroke Symptom Experience Scale (Stroke-SES), and the Confidence after Stroke Measure (CaSM). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify latent kinesiophobia profiles. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to examine factors associated with different profiles. Results A total of 364 questionnaires were returned, of which 353 were valid (96.98%). LPA delineated three latent kinesiophobia profiles among middle-aged stroke patients: the self-regulation profile (15.6%), pain-dominated profile (64.9%), and trauma-sensitive profile (19.5%). Multinomial logistic regression identified education level, family history of stroke, number of episodes, symptom burden, and rehabilitation confidence as significant differentiating factors across these profiles (all p < 0.05). Conclusion Kinesiophobia levels vary considerably across middle-aged stroke patients in the recovery phase. Healthcare providers should pay attention to the distinct kinesiophobia patterns and demographic characteristics of different patients and develop targeted interventions to reduce kinesiophobia and promote active participation in exercise rehabilitation.