Background: Sensorimotor impairment following distal radius fracture (DRF) has been associated with a
significant decline in function. Joint position sense (JPS) testing is a meaningful and responsive way to assess
sensorimotor impairment for individuals who have sustained a DRF; however, there are factors that may
influence the results of JPS testing, including kinesiophobia and pain intensity.
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the influence kinesiophobia may have on wrist JPS testing and if pain
intensity impacts kinesiophobia and JPS in individuals with a DRF.
Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study.
Methods: Participants referred from two medical centers with a diagnosis of DRF treated with at least
3 weeks of immobilization were enrolled in the study. Data were collected at 1 week and 6 weeks postimmobilization period. Demographics were summarized with descriptive statistics, and linear relationships
between kinesiophobia, pain intensity, and wrist JPS were examined using Pearson correlation coefficient.
Results: Forty-eight participants were included in this study (mean age 42.9 years). Significant positive correlations were found between the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS; r = 0.951,
p < 0.001), TSK and JPS error (r = 0.942, p < 0.001), as well as NRS and JPS error (r = 0.898, p < 0.001). These
correlations indicate that higher levels of kinesiophobia are associated with increased pain intensity and greater
JPS error. T-tests reveal no significant difference between male and female for the TSK, NRS, or JPS scores.
Conclusions: There is an association for individuals with high levels of kinesiophobia and both greater pain
and errors with JPS testing
