Adolescent psychological beliefs, but not parent beliefs, associated with pain and function in adolescents with patellofemoral pain

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the association of adolescent and parent psychological beliefs with 1) self-reported functional ability, 2) pain and 3) objective measures of function.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Pediatric Outpatient Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-six adolescents with patellofemoral pain (PFP) (14.6 ± 1.7 years old, 62% female) and 72 parents.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient questionnaires were used to describe pain, knee function, fear avoidance (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire-Physical Activity; FABQ-PA), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11; TSK-11), and pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale; PCS) in adolescents with PFP. Parents (n = 72) completed FABQ-PA, TSK-11, and PCS questionnaires. Hip and knee strength, quadriceps and dorsiflexion motion, the single-leg hop for distance and lateral-step down test measured physical performance.

RESULTS

Adolescent psychological beliefs were significantly associated with pain (FABQ-PA r = 0.33, and PCS r = 0.34), function (FABQ-PA r = -0.59,TSK-11 r = -0.33), hip strength (FABQ-PA r = -0.41, TSK-11 r = -0.32), and single leg hop for distance (FABQ-PA r = -0.38). Parent psychological beliefs were not associated with the adolescent's beliefs, pain or function.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent, but not parent, psychological beliefs were associated with pain, self-reported function and objective measures of function.