Psychometric properties of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia amongst Iranian patients with chronic persistent pain

Objective (s): This paper presents the results of a study that examined the factor structure, divergent and convergent validity and reliability of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) amongst a sample of 195 Iranian patients with chronic persistent pain.

All participants completed a group of self-report measures including the Persian versions of TSK, pain severity, physical disability, depression, and catastrophizing and pain self-efficacy beliefs. The factor structure of the TSK was examined, using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.

The results indicated that TSK is conceptualized within a two-factor model, namely “believed injury” and “activity avoidance”. Results also indicated that the TSK and its two subscales have good internal consistency and test-retest reliability (with a 7-14 days interval). The results of correlation analysis between TSK and its 2 subscales with measures of pain, disability, depression, catastrophizing and pain self-efficacy beliefs supported both the convergent and the divergent validity for the TSK and the two subscales.

The Persian version of TSK had satisfactory psychometric properties and can be administered amongst the Iranian population with chronic persistent pain.