Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) is characterized by persistent pain for at least 6 months in the pelvic region. This condition generates negative impacts on both the physical and psychological aspects of life, and can also cause fear of movement, known as kinesiophobia. Previous research has observed that people with chronic pain can present kinesiophobia. However, it is important to know whether pain severity is associated with higher levels of kinesiophobia in women with CPP.

To analyze the association of pain severity with kinesiophobia in women with Chronic Pelvic Pain.

This is a cross-sectional study, conducted between December 2020 to October 2022, with women aged 18 to 45 years with CPP. In addition to sociodemographic data, information on pain intensity in the last 30 days were collected using the Numerical Pain Scale (NPS), and kinesiophobia was assessed using the TAMPA Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Pain (NPS) was classified as mild to moderate (up to 6 points); severe pain (7 points or more). Furthermore, a cutoff point of 51 points or more on the TAMPA scale was considered for the classification of severe kinesiophobia. Descriptive analysis was expressed using mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables, and absolute and relative frequencies for categorical variables. The Chi-square test was used to analyze the association between pain severity and kinesiophobia (significance level of 5%).

The total sample consisted of 168 women with a mean age of 34.2 years (SD ± 6.9), 73.2% (n = 123) of mixed race, 42.3% (n = 71) married and 55.7% (n = 93) with a level of education ranging from complete high school to incomplete higher education. Regarding pain intensity in the last 30 days, the mean pain was 7.6 (SD ± 2.0) points and 69.6% (n = 117) of the women reported severe pain. Regarding kinesiophobia, the mean on the TAMPA scale was 45.5 (SD ± 8.6), in which 28% (n = 47) of the women presented severe kinesiophobia and 72.0% (n = 121) mild to moderate kinesiophobia. We observed that women who reported severe pain were associated with the presence of severe kinesiophobia (p = 0.002).

We evidenced that there was an association between greater pain severity and the presence of severe kinesiophobia.

The results of the study reinforce the need for comprehensive care for women with CPP so that there is a reduction in pain and fear of movement in their rehabilitation process. In clinical practice, the multidisciplinary team involved in assisting this population should look at both physical and psychological aspects.