Association Between Pain-Related Kinesiophobia and Sedentary Behavior in Older Patients With Lumbar Spine Disease

In older patients with lumbar spine disease, kinesiophobia caused by pain may influence sedentary behavior (SB) independent of physical activity (PA). Understanding this association may lead to the development of new nonpharmacological strategies for managing such patients. The present study aimed to investigate whether pain-related kinesiophobia influences SB in older patients with lumbar spine disease.

This study included 106 outpatients with lumbar spine disease, aged 65 years or older. The outcome measurements were daily step count and self-reported daily SB, calculated as the average of 7 consecutive days. Kinesiophobia was assessed using the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia (TSK). Statistical analyses were performed using multiple regression analysis.

The mean age of the participants was 77.6±5.9 years, and 77.0% were female. The median (interquartile range) Visual Analog Scale score for pain and numbness was 23.9 (10.4 to 47.2) mm. The median daily step count was 3627.3 (2166.9 to 4419.9) steps per day, and the mean daily SB was 424.9±165.6 minutes per day. The mean TSK score was 40.5±4.7. Multiple regression analysis revealed that both daily step count (B=-0.01, β=-0.22, 95% CI=-0.02 to 0.00, P =0.032) and SB (B=10.33, β=0.29, 95% CI=3.00-17.69, P =0.006) were independently associated with the TSK score.

Our results suggest that increased kinesiophobia may be associated with increased SB, independent of PA. Addressing kinesiophobia in older patients with lumbar spine disease may prevent a decrease in PA and an increase in SB, thereby offering a new treatment strategy.