Development and validation of an ICF-based new scale—Atilim Kinesiophobia Scale: A methodological study

It is important to assess kinesiophobia, which increases the risk of disability by limiting physical activity. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to develop a scale that assesses kinesiophobia with the multidimensional structure of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Atilim Kinesiophobia Scale (AKS) was developed in Turkish by an expert panel using questionnaires replied by 367 subjects. Finally, 38 questions based on the sub-domains of the ICF described by World Health Organization. In the scope of this cross-sectional study content validity and reliability were assessed; construct validity (both convergent and divergent validity) was checked against Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale-17 and Visual Analog Scale. AKS demonstrated good internal consistency and convergent validity, with significant correlations observed with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-17 (r = 0.478, P < .001). Divergent validity was supported by insignificant correlations with the Visual Analog Scale (r = 0.019, P = .855). The Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.862 indicates a high level of internal consistency for the AKS. Based on these findings, the final version of AKS was refined to include 4 factors and 14 items, demonstrating good internal validity. We developed and validated the AKS to assess kinesophobia in patients with acute and/or chronic musculoskeletal pain. This new ICF-based scale can be used to assess kinesiophobia; however further studies are required to prove its validity and reliability in other languages.