Sensorimotor dysfunction does not predict pain-related cognition, but proprioception is associated with pain...

To investigate if sensorimotor function predicts pain-related cognition in people with lower limb tendinopathy.

Single-cohort, cross-sectional study.

Sports and exercise research laboratory.

Seventy-three participants with a diagnosed lower limb tendinopathy.

We measured proprioception (active movement extent discrimination apparatus), unilateral balance (Y-balance test), bipedal postural control (sensory organization test) and lower limb muscle strength in a single laboratory visit. Pain-related cognition was assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), fear of pain questionnaire, pain catastrophizing scale, pain self-efficacy scale. Linear regression analysis was conducted to determine whether sensorimotor function was predictive of pain-related cognition.

Sensorimotor function was not predictive of kinesiophobia (p = 0.24, ΔR² = 0.06), fear of pain (p = 0.97, ΔR² = 0.01), pain catastrophizing (p = 0.1) or pain self-efficacy (p = 0.18, ΔR² = 0.06) after controlling for age, sex, disability and pain intensity. Proprioceptive ability was associated with pain catastrophizing (μ = -5.52, p = 0.02) and pain self-efficacy (β = 23.05, p = 0.046).

Collectively, sensorimotor factors did not predict pain-related cognition. However, when considering sensorimotor factors individually, proprioceptive ability was associated with both pain catastrophizing and self-efficacy but not fear.