Investigation of factors related to physical activity level in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Kılınç H., Investigation of Factors Related to Physical Activity Level in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis, Hacettepe University, Institute of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Programme, Master Thesis, 2018. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between pain, lower extremity functions, physical performance, fear of movement, level of anxiety/depression and quality of life in physical activity levels in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. The study was conducted on voluntary individuals who were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis between the ages of 40 and 65 who applied to Yeni Mahalle State Hospital between February 2017 and November 2017. The physical and socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were recorded. A goniometer was used to evaluate normal range of motion. The Oxford Knee Scale (OKS) was used to assess pain and functional status from the patient perspective. The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT) were used to assess physical performance. The Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TSK) was used to assess fear of movement. Beck Anxiety and Beck Depression Inventory (BAI/BDI) were used to assess anxiety and depression. The International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) was used to assess physical activity. Finally, Short Form-12 (SF-12) was used to assess the quality of life. As a result of the study, all the scores of OKS and IPAQ-SF showed a significant negative correlation (r=-0,550; p<0,001). There was a good negative correlation between the TSK scores and the IPAQ-SF scores (r=-0,693; p<0,001)while a moderate negative correlation was found between the BAI/BDI scores and the IPAQ-SF scores (r=-0,970; r=-0,429, p<0,001). There was a low correlation between SF-12 physical, mental and total scores and IPAQ-SF (r=0,217; p<0,001).. Finally, the results of linear regression analysis revealed that the total score parameters of 6-MWT, TKS, BDI and OKS were the strongest predictors of knee OA individuals that affected the physical activity level assessed by IPAQ-SF. As a result; considering that patients with knee OA have inadequate physical activity levels, the use of practices for the improvement of kinesiophobia, depression level and function level during the treatment process may be recommended for improving the level of phyical activity.