The relationship between pain catastrophizing and emotional symptoms with the level of kinesiophobia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Zarif khalili yazdani, Zhina; Zamani, Batool; Zanjani, Zahra

doi:10.48307/FMSJ.2025.29.6.9

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Volume 29, Issue 6 (Bimonthly 2025)

Feyz Med Sci J 2025, 29(6): 637-645

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The relationship between pain catastrophizing and emotional symptoms with the level of kinesiophobia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Zhina Zarif khalili yazdani

, Batool Zamani

, Zahra Zanjani ^*

Social Determinants of Health (SDH) Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran , z_zanjani2005@yahoo.com

Abstract: (370 Views)

Background and Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that, in addition to physical symptoms such as pain and limited mobility, is associated with various psychological factors. These factors, including anxiety, depression, stress, pain catastrophizing, and kinesiophobia (fear of movement), can significantly impact patients' function and quality of life. This study aimed to examine the correlation between emotional symptoms (anxiety, depression, stress), pain catastrophizing, and kinesiophobia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 66 patients with RA, aged 18 to 60 years, who were referred to a rheumatology clinic in Kashan. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). After assessing data normality using the Shapiro–Wilk test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was employed to analyze the relationships between variables using SPSS software.
Results: Significant correlations were found between the variables of anxiety, depression, stress, pain catastrophizing, and kinesiophobia (P < 0.01). The highest correlations were observed between anxiety and depression (r = 0.675) and between pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia (r = 0.651). Significant associations were also found between anxiety and pain catastrophizing (r = 0.508) and between anxiety and stress (r = 0.668).
Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the significant interplay of psychological factors in rheumatoid arthritis. It appears that emotional symptoms (particularly anxiety) and pain catastrophizing are directly associated with kinesiophobia. These results suggest the necessity of integrating psychological interventions, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), alongside standard medical treatments for more comprehensive management of these patients and improvement of their functional outcomes.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Anxiety, Depression, Pain catastrophizing, Kinesiophobia

Full-Text [PDF 438 kb] (56 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: General
Received: 2025/06/7 | Revised: 2026/01/7 | Accepted: 2025/12/1 | Published: 2025/12/30

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Zarif khalili yazdani Z, Zamani B, Zanjani Z. The relationship between pain catastrophizing and emotional symptoms with the level of kinesiophobia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Feyz Med Sci J 2025; 29 (6) :637-645
URL: http://feyz.kaums.ac.ir/article-1-5354-en.html

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