Effect of kinesiophobia on physical activity level in patients with coronary heart disease

Physical activity (PA) is an established effective intervention to improve the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, exercise-related barriers frequently hinder PA engagement among this population, limiting its beneficial effects. Given the critical role of PA in cardiac rehabilitation and promising findings from relevant studies, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) has been increasingly adopted to assess kinesiophobia in CVD patients. In China, however, understanding of this issue remains inadequate, with related research initiating relatively late.

This study aimed to determine the levels of kinesiophobia and PA in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and evaluate the impact of kinesiophobia on PA levels.

A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted.

A convenience sample of 401 hospitalized CHD patients was recruited.

Two Grade A tertiary hospitals in Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.

Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia for Heart (TSK-SV Heart), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-S-C). Kinesiophobia levels, physical activity levels, and their association were analyzed.

The incidence of kinesiophobia among CHD patients was 69.08%. The median PA level was 924 metabolic equivalent minutes per week (MET-min/week). Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between TSK scores (total and subscale) and PA MET values (r = -0.509, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis indicated that CHD patients with kinesiophobia were 13.023 times more likely to be in the low PA group compared to those without kinesiophobia.

CHD patients exhibit poor PA levels and an alarmingly high incidence of kinesiophobia. Kinesiophobia scores have a strong negative impact on PA engagement. Healthcare providers should pay close attention to this issue and implement timely interventions to address kinesiophobia in CHD patients.