Fear of movement/(re)injury predicting chronic disabling low back pain: a prospective inception cohort study.
METHODS
Prospective inception cohort study.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate prospectively whether pain-related fear predicts future perceived disability and participation in patients with acute low back pain (LBP).


BACKGROUND
There are indications that fear of movement/(re)injury, as measured by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, is present early in an episode of LBP, and that it might be a predictor of future perceived disability and participation.


METHODS
A cohort of 555 patients with acute LBP included by general practitioners and physical therapists in primary care settings was followed for 6 months.


RESULTS
Results indicate that baseline fear of movement/(re)injury was predictive of future perceived disability and, to a lesser extent (and together with duration and radiation), of participation.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing pain-related fear in the acute stage of LBP might prevent restrictions of activity and participation because of pain, and might be a way of preventing the transition from acute to chronic LBP.
University of Maastricht, The Netherlands. swinky@xs4all.nl
Ilse E J
IE
Swinkels-Meewisse
Jeffrey
J
Roelofs
Erik G W
EG
Schouten
André L M
AL
Verbeek
Rob A B
RA
Oostendorp
Johan W S
JW
Vlaeyen
D000328:Adult; D019567:Back Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention