Prevalence of low level of physical activity due to fear of pain in subjects with low back pain

Abstract

Low back pain is a common health problem all over the world, affects the people
of all ages. Fear of avoidance is resisted behavior of a subject to movement or activities
based on fear. The current study was conducted to observe the association of increased fear
of pain and lower level of physical activity with its prevalence and to explore fear avoidance
beliefs in order to increase awareness regarding increase in physical activity in subjects with
back ache so as to decrease burden on health care system. 150 subjects were included in this
study on the basis of inclusion criteria. Data was collected by using Fear Avoidance Belief
Questionnaire (FABQ), Hannover Functional Ability Questionnaire, and Visual Analogue
Scale (VAS) to assess pain related fear, functional abilities and pain intensity respectively.
The results revealed that patients with severe pain have increased fear avoidance beliefs.
There is statistically strong association between elevated fear avoidance beliefs and low
level of physical activity in patients with low back pain. It is concluded that strong
association exists between elevated fear avoidance beliefs and lower level of physical
activity in subjects having low back pain. Fear of pain results in restriction of physical
activity more than pain itself.