Fear of Movement in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis Linked With Lower Life Quality

Kinesiophobia, a debilitating fear of movement that stems from a fear of injury, was associated with increased pain, depression, and reduced quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Researchers published their findings in the Annals of Medical Research.

“Therefore, we propose that strategies to increase awareness of movement fear, cognitive behavioral therapy, and physical activity should be involved in the treatment programs,” wrote corresponding author Ahmet Karakoyun, MD, of Aksaray University and coauthor Yalkin Calik, MD, of Bolu Izzet Baysal Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital in Turkey.

The study included 58 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 55 healthy control subjects.

Kinesiophobia affected more than two-thirds of patients with ankylosing spondylitis compared with less than a third of healthy control subjects, according to the study. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis also had significantly higher kinesiophobia scores on the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, pain severity scores on the Visual Analogue Scale, and depression scores on the Beck Depression Index than healthy controls.

Among patients with ankylosing spondylitis, those with high kinesiophobia scores had significantly higher scores on pain severity and depression scales, as well as on the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life scale.

In light of the findings, researchers advised the need for awareness of kinesiophobia and its effects in the patient population. 

“In conclusion, the kinesiophobia observed in the most patients with ankylosing spondylitis should be taken into account as a risk factor for chronic pain, disability, poor quality of life, and
depression,” they wrote, “and patients who have ankylosing spondylitis should be screened for movement fear.”

Reference:
Karakoyun A, Calik Y. Is there a relationship between kinesiophobia, pain, depression, disease activity, functional status and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis? Annals of Medical Research. 2023;30(6):714–718. doi: 10.5455/annalsmedres.2023.04.089