Validation of a questionnaire to detect kinesiophobia (fear of movement) in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the validity and reliability of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart (TSK-SV Heart), a brief questionnaire to detect kinesiophobia (fear of movement) in patients with coronary artery disease. DESIGN Methodological research (cross-sectional study). SUBJECTS A total of 332 patients, mean age 65 years (standard deviation 9.1) diagnosed with coronary artery disease at a university hospital were included in the study. METHODS The psychometric properties of the TSK-SV Heart were tested. The tests of validity comprised face, content, and construct validity. The reliability tests included composite reliability, internal consistency and stability over time. RESULTS In terms of reliability, the TSK-SV Heart was found to be stable over time (intra-class correlation coefficient 0.83) and internally consistent (Cronbach's alpha 0.78). Confirmatory factor analysis provided acceptable fit for a hypothesized 4-factor model with inclusion of a method factor. CONCLUSION These results provide support for the reliability of the TSK-SV Heart. The questionnaire appears to be valid for use in patients with coronary artery disease. However, some items require further investigation due to low influence on some sub-dimensions of the test. The sub-dimensions of kinesiophobia require future research concerning their implications for the target group.