Relationship between kinesiophobia, cognitive aspects, level of physical activity, and disability in individuals with migraine: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Headaches are the cause of disability worldwide, and among them, migraine stands out as one of the most prevalent. Psychosocial aspects have a relevant role in the prognosis of migraine, but their relationship with these variables is not completely clear.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between kinesiophobia and catastrophizing level, self-efficacy, hypervigilance, physical activity level, and disability in individuals with migraine.

Method: Eighty-eight participants answered an online form containing validated questionnaires to evaluate kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, self-efficacy, hypervigilance, and disability. Based on the cutoff point of the Tampa scale, participants were categorized into two groups: migraine with kinesiophobia (KM, n = 45), and migraine without kinesiophobia (NKM, n = 43).

Results: The prevalence of kinesiophobia was 51.1%. The KM group presented higher catastrophizing and disability scores and lower self-efficacy scores, vigorous physical activity time, and physical activity level compared to the NKM group (p < .05). Kinesiophobia was associated with higher catastrophizing levels (r = 0.546, p < .001), hypervigilance (r = 0.302, p = .004) and disability (r = 0.517, p < .001) and lower self-efficacy levels (r = - 0.499, p < .001). In addition, kinesiophobia is associated with the risk of being physically inactive (OR = 0.186, 95% CI: 0.068-0.505).

Conclusion: Kinesiophobia is prevalent in individuals with migraine and should be carefully considered in clinical practice, as it harms participation in physical activities and is associated with worse cognitive and behavioral outcomes.