Fear and avoidance of shoulder movement according to the International Code of Functioning: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Shoulder pain is a limiting condition that has a major impact on daily activities and work. Knowing which specific activities involving the shoulder are associated with the occurrence of higher levels of pain may be of interest to professionals. The use of images of shoulder movements can be an effective tool to check the presence of pain and fear of movement, break down language and cultural barriers, and facilitate communication between professional and patient. The objectives of this study were: (1) to carry out a descriptive analysis of fear responses and movement avoidance based on passive viewing of images of shoulder movements based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) codes; (2) to check whether there is a correlation between fear responses and movement avoidance with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).

METHODS:

In this cross-sectional observational study, individuals with chronic shoulder pain were recruited. Participants responded to the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the TAMPA Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) to measure the intensity of shoulder pain and disability, and fear of movement, respectively. Participants viewed 58 movement images based on codes and descriptors from the third chapter of ICF. In addition, they responded to a numerical scale to judge fear of movement and a second numerical scale to judge movement avoidance.

RESULTS:

The study included 42 individuals. The activities belonging to the mobility subgroup (chapter 4), which refers to chapter 3 of the ICF, are those that present greater responses of fear and movement avoidance. Multiple regression resulted in a significant model [F(1, 40) = 31.119; p<0.001; R2 = 0.438], when verifying whether fear and movement avoidance responses related to ICF images are associated with SPADI in participants with chronic shoulder pain. The fear response is associated with SPADI (β=0.661; t=5.578; p<0.001), however, the avoidance response did not present a significant result with the scale (β=−0.063; t=-0.160; p=0.874).

CONCLUSION:

Movements that refer to mobility seem to be the most feared and avoided by people with chronic shoulder pain. Fear of movement is associated with shoulder disability.

Keywords:
Chronic pain; Fear; Shoulder pain

HIGHLIGHTS

Individuals with shoulder pain who are afraid of movement are likely to have higher levels of shoulder pain and disability.

Individuals with shoulder pain thought they had fear and avoidance of movement in relation to the activities represented in the images shown by the ICF Mobility Group.

The use of movement images based on the ICF codes and descriptions can be a good tool for defining which activities are most feared or avoided by people with shoulder pain.