• Ilse E J Swinkels-Meewisse, Jeffrey Roelofs, Erik G W Schouten, André L M Verbeek, Rob A B Oostendorp, and Johan W S Vlaeyen.
• University of Maastricht, The Netherlands. swinky@xs4all.nl
• Spine. 2006 Mar 15;31(6):658-64.

Study DesignProspective inception cohort study.ObjectiveTo investigate prospectively whether pain-related fear predicts future perceived disability and participation in patients with acute low back pain (LBP).Summary Of Background DataThere are indications that fear of movement/(re)injury, as measured by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, is present early in an episode of LBP, and that it might be a predictor of future perceived disability and participation.MethodsA cohort of 555 patients with acute LBP included by general practitioners and physical therapists in primary care settings was followed for 6 months.ResultsResults indicate that baseline fear of movement/(re)injury was predictive of future perceived disability and, to a lesser extent (and together with duration and radiation), of participation.ConclusionsThe results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing pain-related fear in the acute stage of LBP might prevent restrictions of activity and participation because of pain, and might be a way of preventing the transition from acute to chronic LBP.

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