Abstract:

The purpose is to study the levels of kinesiophobia and related factors in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (OP) and osteopenia (OPN). The study included 60 female patients with postmenopausal OP, 60 female patients with postmenopausal OPN, age and gender-compatible 60 tests. The demographic data of the participants (age, weight, size, body mass index, level of education, working status, duration of the disease and period of menopause) were recorded. All participants were evaluated using kinesiophobia, fear of fall, psychological condition, health-related quality of life and OP self-sufficiency levels, respectively Tampa kinesiophobia scale, fall activity scale-international (UDES), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADÖ), the European Osteoporosis Foundation’s quality of life survey-41 (QUALEFFO-41) and osteoporosis self-sufficiency scale (OEYÖ). Results: Postmenopausal patients with OP and OPN had higher kinesiophobia levels than controlled (p<0,05). However, there was no difference between kinesiophobia levels in patients with OP and OPN (p>0,05). Patients with OP and OPN had a negative correlation between the TCO score and the UDES, HADÖ, QUALEFFO-41 score, the period of menopause is positive, the OEY score is negative (p<0,05). Patients were divided into two groups as high and low kinesiophobia according to kinesiophobia levels; in patients with high kinesiophobia, all clinical parameters were negatively affected (p<0,05). Result: both OP and OPN can cause kinesiophobia in postmenopausal women. In postmenopausal women with OP and OPN, increased fear of falling, deteriorated psychological condition, low quality of life and decreased self-sufficiency perception, extended menopausal period appears to be associated with higher levels of kinesiophobia. Since physical activity is necessary for bone health, postmenopausal women with OP and OPN should be advised about the importance of overcoming kinesiophobia.