The effect of occupational self perception of patients with total knee arthroplasty on functional recovery process and Kinesophobia

The aim of this study is to investigate the early effects of the occupational self perception of patients who have had total knee arthroplasty on the functional recovery process and kinesophobia. 40 individuals aged between 45-80 who have undergone a knee operation in at least one knee participated in the study. A total of three evaluations were performed; once in the pre-operative period and once in the third and sixth weeks of post operative period. The Occupational Self-Assessment Scale (OSA) was used to evaluate the occupation perception, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), was used to evaluate the functional results, TAMPA Kinesiophobia Scale was used to evaluate kinesiophobia and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used to evaluate the occupations where a problem occured. The difference between occupational self assesment levels of individuals with and without kinesophobia was examined with Mann Whitney U test. The total score from the OSA test was compared for two groups with and without kinesiophobia. It was found that activity perception levels of the individuals without kinesophobia were statistically higher (p<0.05). Importance and performance scores of the three sub-parameters of the OSA test were calculated separately. The individuals were grouped as having low and high perception. Two-way ANOVA was used for repeated measurements between the five sub-parameters of the OSA and KOOS scores of the individuals within this group. While it was found that occupational self perception has a possitive effect on the changes in symptoms and the improvement in daily activities (p<0.05); it has no effect on the quality of life, pain and sport and leisure activities of the individuals (p>0.05). Occupational self assesment level of individuals activity competencies affect the presence and severity of kinesiophobia. Improving occupational self-perception may reduce kinesiophobia. Investigation of subjects' occupational self perception before surgery may affect early results.