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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm
Published on: October 3, 2020
Association between peak torque, acceleration time and avoidance behavior in individuals with chronic shoulder pain:
Isabela Vilela Assis Faria1, Giovanna Dutra Scaglione1, Marcela Camargo Tozzo1
1Department of Health Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Background:
Chronic shoulder pain is frequently associated with muscle imbalance, strength reduction, and psychobehavioral factors. Although muscle strength deficits are common in individuals with shoulder pain, the association with avoidance behavior is poorly explored.
Objective:
To assess the association between shoulder external and internal rotations peak torque and acceleration time with the avoidance behavior in individuals with chronic shoulder pain.
Design:
Cross-sectional observational study.
Methods:
101 individuals with chronic shoulder pain were included and completed the ADAP Shoulder Scale, SPADI, NPRS, TSK and IPAQ. The painful shoulder external and internal rotations peak torque and acceleration time were measured through isokinetic dynamometry. Multiple linear regressions were used to identify significant associations with the pain-related avoidance behavior, with a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results:
Pain-related avoidance behavior is associated with shoulder internal rotation peak torque (β = -0.200; p = 0.011) and acceleration time (β = 0.183; p = 0.023).
Conclusions:
Lower values of internal rotation peak torque and higher internal rotation acceleration time are significantly associated with higher pain-related avoidance behavior in individuals with chronic shoulder pain.
