Associations between kinesiophobia, pain, functional disability, balance confidence and transverse abdomen muscle activation in elderly individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a cross-sectional study

Chronic low back pain has a high prevalence in the elderly population. Psychosocial dimensions are possible causes of pain affecting the patient’s development and prognosis. Kinesiophobia is associated with a natural response to chronic low back pain and should be considered a key treatment target for physical therapists. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between kinesiophobia and pain intensity, functional disability, balance confidence and transversus abdominis muscle activation in elderly individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Eighty elderly people with chronic nonspecific low back pain participated in this study. Kinesiophobia was assessed using the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, pain intensity was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, functional disability was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index, balance confidence was measured using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, and transversus abdominis muscle activation was measured using the pressure biofeedback unit. The data were analyzed in the SPSS Statistics program using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. The results show a correlation between kinesiophobia, pain intensity and functional disability, being negative for confidence in balance. The correlation between kinesiophobia and activation of the transversus abdominis muscle was not significant. The results suggest a positive correlation between kinesiophobia, pain intensity and functional disability and a negative correlation with balance confidence.