Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the fear avoidance components scale in patients with chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders.

Abstract

The fear avoidance components scale (FACS) evaluates patients' cognitive, emotional and behavioral fear avoidance behavior. The aim of the study was to conduct the cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the FACS. Aprospective cross-sectional study was carried out with 208patients (46.2 ± 11.4years, 116women, 92men) diagnosed with chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders. Individuals were assessed with FACS, Tampa scale of kinesiophobia (TSK), Beck depression inventory (BDI), Oswestry disability index (ODI), numerical pain scale (NPS), and pain catastrophizing scale (PCS). A total of 70 patients completed the FACS for the second time 3 days later. Internal consistency of the total score was excellent (Cronbach's alpha: 0.815). There was astrong correlation between FACS and TSK and PCS (r1 0.555, r2 0.678, p < 0.001). In addition, the relationship between FACS and BDI and NPS was moderate in terms of construct validity (r1 0.357, r2 0.391, p < 0.001). FACS had atwo-factor structure, as expected. The test-retest reliability of the FACS was acceptable to excellent (ICC = 0.526-0.971). The Turkish version of FACS is avalid and reliable questionnaire for patients with chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders. The FACS provides afurther advantage over identical questionnaires by evaluating cognitive, behavioral and emotional fear avoidance components.