Tampa Scale For Kinesiophobia Questionnaire Research Articles

Comparison of Psychometric Properties of the Original and Brief Version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia

Introduction: Some accurate tools exist to assess fear-avoidance behavior, such as the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia (TSK) in individuals with musculoskeletal problems. The current research aims to compare the psychometric characteristics of the original Persian 17-items TSK questionnaire and its 11-item brief version in chronic non-specific low-back pain (CNSLBP).
 Materials and Methods: In this test development study, 295 patients with CNSLBP referred to the physiotherapy clinic of Milad Hospital in Tehran city, Iran were evaluated. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and α Cronbach was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of the original and brief Persian version of the TSK, respectively. For goodness-of-fit, the Χ2/df, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), goodness-of-fit index (GFI), and comparative fit index (CFI) indices were used.
 Results: Internal consistency specified by Cronbach’s α was 0.949 for the original version of the questionnaire and 0.927 for the brief one. Based on the CFA findings, the goodness-of-fit indices for the brief version were GFI=0.921, RMSEA=0.078 (90% confidence interval (CI), 0.062%-0.094%), comparative fit index (CFI)=0.981, and Χ2/df=2.791. These indices for the original one were 0.882, 0.066 (90% CI, 0.055%-0.076%), 0.983, and 2.270, respectively. A significant correlation was found between these two versions (P<0.001). These findings confirm the adequacy of the brief version of the TSK.
 Conclusion: The brief Persian version of TSK can be considered a reliable and valid tool to evaluate somatic focus and activity avoidance in patients with CNSLBP.

The influence of kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing on pain-induced corticomotor modulation in healthy participants: A cross sectional study

ObjectivesSeveral studies suggest that acute pain decreases corticomotor excitability. However, the variability between individuals remains important and unexplained. The aim of this study was to unveil potential sources of variation by looking at the effect of kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing on pain-induced corticomotor modulation. MethodsCorticomotor excitability was assessed with the slopes of recruitment curves measured from the first dorsal interosseous elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation before and during pain induced by capsaicin application on the forearm. Participants completed the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). ResultsTwenty-four persons participated in the study. There was a moderate and positive correlation between individual changes in the slope of the recruitment curves and TSK questionnaire scores (rs=0.47; p = 0.02). During the painful condition, unlike those with higher TSK scores, participants with lower TSK scores demonstrated recruitment curves with reduced slopes compared to baseline. There was a difference between changes in the slopes of recruitment curves between individuals with “highest” vs. “lowest” kinesiophobia scores (p = 0.01). No relationship was observed between changes in the slopes of the recruitment curves and PCS scores (p = 0.20). DiscussionThe results suggest that kinesiophobia may affect neuromotor processes and influence the corticomotor pain response. ConclusionsHigher kinesiophobia scores during experimental induced pain were associated with smaller decreases in the slopes of recruitment curves. These findings suggest that there is less inhibition of corticospinal excitability in participants with greater TKS scores.

Reliability and Validity of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia Questionnaire in Individuals with Non-specific Low Back Pain

Background: The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) is considered a valid and reliable tool to assess the fear-avoidance behavior in patients. There is a valid and reliable Persian version of the TSK-17. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the internal consistency as a measurement for the test reliability and factor (domain) validity of the Persian version of the TSK-17 to determine whether a modified form can be proposed. Methods: This study analyzed the data of 295 individuals with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess internal consistency (reliability). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied to evaluate factor validity which is an aspect of the construct validity. The Chi-square divided by the degrees of freedom, the goodness of fit index (GFI), the confirmatory fit index (CFI), and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) indices were utilized as the goodness-of-fit criteria. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 18), AMOS software (version 20), and EQS software (version 6.2). Results: Two factors were extracted for the TSK-17 questionnaire using EFA, and then the structure was confirmed with CFA. Cronbach’s alpha as an internal consistency index was 0.949 for the entire questionnaire, 0.931 for the 11-item fear-of-movement factor, and 0.971 for the 6-item belief factor. The evaluation of the inappropriate items demonstrated that no items were selected for the deletion; therefore, a modified version of the TSK was not presented. The goodness-of-fit indices were reported as GFI = 0.882, RMSEA=0.066 (90% CI: 0.055-0.076), CFI = 0.983, and minimum discrepancy per degree of freedom = 2.27. Conclusions: The Persian version of the TSK-17 can be considered a valid and reliable tool to assess the fear of movement and avoidance behavior in individuals with NSLBP.

Changes in fear of movement in patients attending cardiac rehabilitation: responsiveness of the TSK-NL Heart

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background An important factor related to low physical activity in cardiac patients is fear of movement (kinesiophobia). The setting of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) seems suitable for targeting kinesiophobia. Nevertheless, the impact of CR on kinesiophobia is currently unknown, partly due to the absence of information on the responsiveness of instruments to measure kinesiophobia. Purpose To determine the responsiveness of the Dutch version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia questionnaire (TSK-NL Heart), to asses changes in kinesiophobia during participation in CR and to assess predictors of high levels of kinesiophobia at completion of CR. Methods This study was performed among 109 patients (mean age: 61 years; 76% men) who participated in a 6- till 12-week CR program. Kinesiophobia was measured using the TSK-NL Heart questionnaire. To determine the responsiveness of the TSK-NL Heart, the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ) and the general anxiety scale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A) were used as external measures. All questionnaires were completed pre- and post-CR. Internal responsiveness was estimated by calculating the effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM). External responsiveness was determined by calculating the correlation between change scores on the TSK-NL heart and on the external measures. Furthermore, univariate logistic regression analysis was performed with the dichotomized TSK-NL Heart score post-CR as dependent variable (high vs low scores) and baseline characteristics (age, sex, reason for referral and pre-CR scores on the TSK-NL Heart, CAQ and HADS) as predictor variables. Results Prevalence of a high levels of kinesiophobia improved from 40.4% pre-CR to 25.7% at completion of CR (p = 0.05). Both the ES and the SRM of the TSK change score were moderate for patients with an improved CAQ and HADS-A score (respectively ES = 0.52; SRM = 0.57 and ES = 0.54; SRM = 0.60) and small for patients with a stable score (ES = 0; SRM = 0 and ES = 0.26; SRM = 0.36). There was a moderate correlation between the TSK-NL Heart change score and the CAQ (Rs = 0.30, p = 0.023) and a small correlation between the TSK-NL Heart change score and the HADS-A (Rs =0.21, p = 0.107). The odds of having high kinesiophobia levels post-CR were increased by having a high level of kinesiophobia pre-CR (OR= 9.83, 95%CI: 3.52-27.46), a higher baseline score on the CAQ (OR = 1.12, 95%CI: 1.06-1.19), and a higher baseline score on the HADS-A (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11-1.42). Conclusion The TSK-NL Heart has moderate responsiveness. In addition, this study shows that there are reductions in kinesiophobia during the course of CR. Nevertheless, a large number of patients (26%) still had high levels of kinesiophobia at completion of CR. Interventions targeting kinesiophobia should focus on patients that enter CR with high levels of kinesiophobia, cardiac anxiety and generic anxiety.

Factors Affecting the Femoral Cartilage Thickness After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the distal femoral cartilage thickness in patients that underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and to analyze their association with concomitant meniscal surgery, knee muscle strength, kinesophobia, and physical activity level. The demographic characteristics and surgical data of 47 male patients that underwent unilateral ACLR (mean, 27.55 ± 5.63; range, 18-40years) were evaluated. The patients were assessed in three groups depending on surgery: isolatedACLR (n = 15), ACLR + partial medial meniscus resection (ACLR&M) (n = 16), and ACLR + medial meniscus repair (ACLR&MR) (n = 16). The medial (MCCT), intercondylar (ICCT), and lateral (LCCT) femoral cartilage thicknesses on both limbs were measured using ultrasonography. The extensor and flexor muscles strength of the knees was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s. The physical activity level was evaluated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form and Tegner Activity Scale (TAS). The fear of movement was assessed by the Tampa Scale for KinesiophobiaQuestionnaire (TSKQ). The postoperative mean follow-up duration was 32.24 ± 9.17months. MCCT and LCCT were significantly decreased in the ACLR&M group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.019, respectively). MCCT, ICCT and LCCT were significantly decreased in the ACLR&MR group (p = 0.017, p = 0.011, and p = 0.004, respectively). No significant change was found in the ACLR group. Cartilage thickness changes were not significantly correlated with the knee muscle strength, IPAQ, TAS and TSKQ scores in all groups (p > 0.05). The results showed partial meniscectomy and meniscus repair at the time of ACLR as important risk factors for decreased chondral thickness.

The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia: Structural Validation among Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis Undergoing Spinal Fusion Surgery

Aims Spinal fusion surgery is one of the most invasive orthopedic surgeries. Pain while moving or a fear of experiencing pain after surgery may delay return to function and cause prolonged disability. The purpose of the study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) in pediatric patients undergoing scoliosis surgery. Methods Fifty-five adolescents (10–18 years old) scheduled for spinal fusion surgery were enrolled. Participants completed the TSK questionnaire before surgery and six weeks after surgery. Reliability, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed on the two-factors TSK including activity avoidance (TSK-AA) and somatic focus (TSK-SF). Results Before and after surgery, all TSK-AA items conformed into the same factor component and revealed good internal reliability with Cronbach’s alpha of .76 and .70 respectively. TSK-SF items were separated into different factor components and revealed poor reliability (.11 and .56). The TSK-AA also produced an adequate fit to the data, as reflected with several fit indices at both timepoints, respectively: χ 2/df = 1.19 and 1.22; CFI=.96 and .94; and RMSEA=.06 and .06. Conclusions The TSK-AA demonstrated good psychometric properties in patients undergoing scoliosis surgery, which provides empirical evidence for pediatrics. Its validation in distinct populations and settings is recommended prior to its use.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, validity, and factor analysis of the Gujarati version of the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia in chronic low back pain

BACKGROUND: Nowadays more attention is being given to standardizing the outcome measures for improving treatment methods for chronic low back pain (CLBP). The Gujarati translation of the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia (TSK) in patients with CLBP has never been validated in the native Gujarati population. PURPOSE: Translating, culturally adapting, and validating the Gujarati version of the TSK-Gujarati (TSK-G) to allow its use for Gujarati-speaking patients with CLBP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The development of the TSK-G questionnaire involved its translation and backtranslation, a final review by an expert committee, and testing of the pre final version in establishing its correspondence to the original English version. The psychometric testing included reliability by internal consistency (Cronbach's α), test-retest reliability (intraclass coefficient correlation [ICC]), convergent and divergent validity (Pearson's correlation) by comparing TSK-G to a numerical pain rating scale, fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ), the Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), and patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); and factor analysis. RESULTS: Factor analysis indicated a 6-factor 17-item solution (64.07% of explained variance). The questionnaire showed satisfactory internal consistency (0.639) and moderate test-retest reliability (ICC 0.696). Divergent validity showed low correlations with numerical pain rating scale (r = 0.044), the RMDQ-G (r = 0.06), and PHQ-9-G (r = 0.269); but convergent validity showed highly significant correlation with FABQ-G (r = 0.407, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The successful translation of TSK questionnaire into the Gujarati language shows good psychometric properties and factorial structure and approximates the results of the current English version of the TSK questionnaire.

Translation and validation of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia Arabic version in chronic low back pain

Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) has been proved in the literature as a predictor of chronic low back pain. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) is considered as one of the most suited questionnaires to evaluate pain beliefs and fear of movement/(re) injury in chronic low back pain. The aims of this study were to translate and validate the Arabic version of the TSK for Tunisian population. To translate TSK questionnaire, “validation transcultural method” was adopted. The development of Arabic version includes translation and back-translation, the expert interpretations and the pre-final version testing in order to evaluate its compliance with the original French version. Psychometric testing encompasses measurements by internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha) and intra-observer reliability (intra-class coefficient ICC and the Bland and Altman method). Moreover, the construct validity (convergent and divergent) was investigated via the comparison between TSK and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Beck depression scale, age and body mass index (BMI). A total of 50 patients with non-specific chronic low back pain were recruited from Department of Physical Medicine and Functional Rehabilitation, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital of Sfax, Tunisia. The TSK questionnaire showed acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.87) and high intra-observer reliability (ICC = 0.86). Convergent validity was confirmed by significant correlations between TSK, PSC ( r = 0.84, P < 0.001) and Beck depression scale ( r = 0.86, P < 0.001). Divergent validity was proved by insignificant correlations between TSK, age ( r = −0.16) and BMI ( r = 0.03). To the best of our knowledge, we are the first who translate the TSK to Arabic version. It reveals good psychometric properties in chronic low back pain. Given these results, we intend to integrate the obtained tool to our professional plane. In fact, we think that our approach will pave the way to a wider reuse for other Arab populations, particularly for North Africans. A further study based on the factor analysis seems to be important for our research.

Kinesiophobia is Strongly Associated with Altered Loading after an ACL Reconstruction: Implications for Re-injury Risk

Objectives:The effect of kinesiophobia (fear of movement) following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has recently received greater attention. Elevated kinesiophobia as measured on the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) has been previously found to be associated with poorer outcomes. However, the effect of kinesiophobia in ACL reconstructed patients on high impact and challenging tasks associated with re injury risk such as jumping has not been investigated. Establishing the relationship between kinesiophobia and jump landing mechanics could result in the development of specific treatments to reduce fear of movement and improve jump landing mechanics after ACL reconstruction, resulting in a diminished re-injury risk. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to define the relationship between landing mechanics (axial loading rates and impact forces) with the TSK score in patients 6 months after ACL reconstruction.Methods:Twenty subjects, 6 months post ACL reconstruction, who had completed post-operative physical therapy, and were cleared by their physician to begin return to sport drills participated in the study. Subjects completed an instrumented drop vertical landing assessment with the ground reaction forces recorded while the subjects performed a drop vertical jump task off a 30.48 cm high box. Three trials were taken and the data were analyzed using custom Labview code and Visual 3D software during the period of time from foot contact until initial impact peak. The average loading rate was defined as the linear portion of the vertical ground reaction curve between 20-80% of foot contact to initial impact peak. Subjects also completed the TSK questionnaire. Associations between loading rate and vertical impact peak to the TSK scale were made with Pearson correlation coefficients with significant relationships defined as p<0.05.Results:20 subjects (11 female, 9 male, Ages 19 ± 3.3 yrs, H 1.73 ± 0.11 m, M 69.1 ± 12.2 kg) with bone patellar bone autografts completed the study. The mean loading rate was 56.96 ± 18.6 %bodyweight/sec, initial impact peak 0.88 ± 0.24 %bodyweight, and TSK value was 33.1 ± 6.8. There was a significant negative association between poorer responses on the TSK scale and initial impact peak forces (r=-0.624, p=0.003) but not average loading rate (r=-0.243, p=-0.302) (Figure 1).Conclusion:We found greater kinesiophobia to be associated with a lower weight-bearing in the ACL reconstructed limb. Potentially, subjects who are afraid of loading their reconstructed limb transfer weight to the uninjured limb, increasing the demand placed upon that limb. The greater forces that the contra lateral limb must absorb may in part be related to the elevated risk of injury associated with the non injured limb. The lack of relationship to loading rate suggests kinesiophobia is more related to the magnitude of the load and not the subject’s ability to control the load. These results suggest that in patients with elevated kinesiophobia, cognitive training may be needed before initiating movement retraining or other exercises to improve landing mechanics. Additional prospective studies are needed to assess if these relationships improve over time and determine the optimal time to intervene to reduce subsequent injury risk.

Reliability and Validity of the Cross-Culturally Adapted Thai Version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients.

The aim of this study was to develop a cross-culturally adapted Thai version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) and investigate its reliability and validity among patients with knee osteoarthritis. The TSK was translated into Thai language and culturally adapted in line with the international standards. The Thai TSK questionnaire was then tested for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity by comparing it with the visual analogue scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Timed Up and Go Test. Eighty patients with knee osteoarthritis were included in the study. The Thai version of the TSK was easily comprehended and completed within 6 minutes. The questionnaire showed a good internal consistency (α = 0.90) and high test-retest reliability {ICC (2,1) = 0.934}. Convergent validity showed high correlations with the visual analogue scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (r = 0.741, 0.856, and 0.817, respectively). However, there was no significant correlation between the Thai version of the TSK scores and the Timed Up and Go Test results. The Thai version of the TSK has satisfactory reliability and validity for the evaluation of pain-related fear of movement/(re)injury in patients with knee osteoarthritis.