The 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-9) has adequate measurement properties in patients with chronic low back pain

Objective To assess the test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia in patients with chronic low back pain. Design Questionnaire validation study. Setting Study was conducted in an online environment. Participants We included people aged 18 to 50 years with self-reported low back pain lasting > three months and assessed the Pain-Related Catastrophizing Thoughts Scale and the 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Main measures We used intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, minimum detectable change, and Cronbach's alpha to assess the reliability and internal consistency of the 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. We tested correlations between the domains of the 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and the other variables to assess construct validity. Results A total of 174 participants with chronic low back pain were included in the analysis. No ceiling or floor effect was found. In terms of construct validity, there was a positive correlation between the domains of the 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and the other variables. In the reliability analysis, there was adequate test–retest reliability of the two domains of the 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia: intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99, standard error of measurement = 3.4%, and minimum detectable change = 9.6% for the activity avoidance domain; and intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99, standard error of measurement = 3.5%, and minimum detectable change = 9.9% for the somatic focus domain. There was acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.68) for both domains. Conclusion The 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia has adequate measurement properties in patients with chronic low back pain.