Adolescent psychological beliefs, but not parent beliefs, associated with pain and function in adolescents with patellofemoral pain

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the association of adolescent and parent psychological beliefs with 1) self-reported functional ability, 2) pain and 3) objective measures of function. Study designCross-sectional study. SettingPediatric Outpatient Hospital. ParticipantsEighty-six adolescents with patellofemoral pain (PFP) (14.6 ± 1.7 years old, 62% female) and 72 parents. Main outcome measuresPatient questionnaires were used to describe pain, knee function, fear avoidance (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire-Physical Activity; FABQ-PA), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11; TSK-11), and pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale; PCS) in adolescents with PFP. Parents (n = 72) completed FABQ-PA, TSK-11, and PCS questionnaires. Hip and knee strength, quadriceps and dorsiflexion motion, the single-leg hop for distance and lateral-step down test measured physical performance. ResultsAdolescent psychological beliefs were significantly associated with pain (FABQ-PA r = 0.33, and PCS r = 0.34), function (FABQ-PA r = −0.59,TSK-11 r = −0.33), hip strength (FABQ-PA r = −0.41, TSK-11 r = −0.32), and single leg hop for distance (FABQ-PA r = −0.38). Parent psychological beliefs were not associated with the adolescent’s beliefs, pain or function. ConclusionsAdolescent, but not parent, psychological beliefs were associated with pain, self-reported function and objective measures of function.