The relationship between kinesiophobia and adaptation to illness in different chronic illnesses.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between kinesiophobia and adaptation to chronic illness.

Methods: The study was conducted with descriptive design. The questionnaire consists of three parts: a form including questions about socio-demographic characteristics and chronic diseases-related characteristics of the participants, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, and Adaptation to Chronic Illness Scale.

Results: A total of 217 patients participated in the study, consisting of 99 patients with diabetes, 74 with heart failure (HF), and 44 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The general mean age of the patients participating in the study was 61.03 ± 11.99 years, and the mean duration of disease diagnosis was 9.83 ± 7.16 years. While age, physical adaptation, and psychological adaptation affected the level of kinesiophobia of the patients with COPD and HF by 44.3% and 47.7%, respectively, physical adaptation and psychological adaptation affected the level of kinesiophobia of the patients with DM by 29.6%.

Discussion: While the level of kinesiophobia was found to be high in all disease groups, it was determined that the level of adaptation to the disease was limited. Psychological and physical adaptation to illness was correlated with kinesiophobia.