Original Article: JRCRS. 2026:14(1):23-28
5-Relationship of Kinesophobia with Pain Intensity, Disability, and Sleep Quality in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study
Fatima Bibi1, Ayesha Jamil2 Kanwal Arshad3
1 Student, University Institute of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
2 3 Assistant Professor, University Institute of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Read Full-Text Full-Text PDF DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.53389/JRCRS.2026140105
ABSTRACT:
Background: Chronic low back pain is one of the major health care concerns. It impacts the activities of daily living and mental well-being. Kinesiophobia is often associated with chronic pain that may lead to a cascade of further movement dysfunctions.
Objective: To explore the relationship of kinesiophobia with pain intensity, disability, and sleep quality in patients with chronic low back pain.
Methodology: The study was conducted at the University of Lahore, and data were collected from the medical and outpatient physiotherapy departments of the University Teaching Hospital, Lahore. A sample of 97 participants was recruited using a convenience sampling technique. The participants of both genders, aged between 18 and 60 years, presenting with chronic low back pain for the last three months, were included. Kinesiophobia. Pain intensity, functional disability, and sleep quality were outcome measures. Spearman’s correlation was used to find the strength and direction of the relationship between variables.
Results: The mean age of participants was 37.38 ±7.045. There were 50 (51.5%) females, and the mean BMI was 22.17 ±1.73 kg/m2. The mean of pain intensity was 6.60±1.04, functional disability was35.84±4.85, sleep quality was 9.52±2.22, and kinesiophobia was 41.20±4.38. The analysis showed a significant positive correlation of kinesiophobia with pain intensity (r=0.294, p=0.003), functional disability (r=0.293, p=0.004), and sleep quality (r=0.426, p=0.001).
Conclusion: Kinesiophobia has a positive relationship with pain intensity, functional disability, and quality of sleep. The higher the level of kinesiophobia, the higher the severity of pain, functional disability, and the poorer the sleep quality.
Keywords: Chronic Low Back Pain, Kinesiophobia, Pain Intensity, Functional Disability, Sleep Quality