The relationship between pain beliefs with pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia in individuals with shoulder pain: Preliminary results

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the associations pain beliefs with pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia in individuals with shoulder pain. A cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals experiencing acute or chronic shoulder pain. Participants completed the Pain Beliefs Questionnaire (PBQ), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to explore the associations between subtypes of pain beliefs and psychological responses to pain. A total of 46 participants (30 females, 16 males; mean age 48.69 ± 10.72 years) were included. There was a positive correlation between organic pain beliefs and both pain catastrophizing (r = 0.30, p < 0.05) and kinesiophobia (r = 0.32, p < 0.05). In contrast, psychological pain beliefs were not significantly correlated with either pain catastrophizing (r = 0.06, p > 0.05) or kinesiophobia (r = 0.04, p > 0.05). The findings suggest that organic pain beliefs are significantly associated with both pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia in individuals with shoulder pain. These results highlight the potential impact of somatic interpretations of pain on maladaptive psychological responses. In contrast, psychological pain beliefs showed no significant relationship with either outcome. Interventions targeting organic pain beliefs may be beneficial in reducing both catastrophizing and fear of movement in this population.