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Journals / Turkish Journal of Kinesiology / 2026 / Volume: 12 Issue: 1

Examination of exercise-related health beliefs, kinesiophobia, and perceived stress across different rheumatological diagnostic groups

Betül Ergün(Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Fırat University, Elazığ)0000-0001-7212-2937
Muhammet Şahin Elbastı(Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital, Elazığ)0000-0002-2100-5455
Songul Baglan-Yentur(Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Fırat University, Elazığ)0000-0001-9394-4817
Gülşah Yamancan(Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Fırat University Hospital, Elazığ)0000-0002-9257-281X
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-02-24
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

These results highlight the role of psychosocial factors in managing rheumatic diseases.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Psychosocial factors such as exercise beliefs, kinesiophobia, and stress are important in rheumatic diseases.
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Key Findings & Data:A total of 119 patients were enrolled and categorized into three groups as follows: (Group 1) Axial Inflammatory Diseases (n = 41), comprising individuals diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS, n = 23) and Behçet’s disease with axial involvement (n = 18); (Group 2) Peripheral/Systemic Autoimmune Diseases (n = 41), including Rheumatoid Arthritis (n = 30), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (n = 5), and Systemic Sclerosis (n = 6); and (Group 3) Fibromyalgia Syndrome (n = 37).
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Conclusion & Impact:These results highlight the role of psychosocial factors in managing rheumatic diseases.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Attitudes · exercise · fibromyalgia

Abstract

Psychosocial factors such as exercise beliefs, kinesiophobia, and stress are important in rheumatic diseases. This study examined these variables across three clinical groups based on disease type. A total of 119 patients were enrolled and categorized into three groups as follows: (Group 1) Axial Inflammatory Diseases (n = 41), comprising individuals diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS, n = 23) and Behçet’s disease with axial involvement (n = 18); (Group 2) Peripheral/Systemic Autoimmune Diseases (n = 41), including Rheumatoid Arthritis (n = 30), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (n = 5), and Systemic Sclerosis (n = 6); and (Group 3) Fibromyalgia Syndrome (n = 37). Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), and Exercise-Related Health Beliefs Attitude Scale (ERHBAS). Intergroup differences were analyzed using ANOVA, MANCOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests; correlations were assessed with Spearman’s rho. Significant differences were observed between groups in gender and smoking (p<0.001), but not in alcohol use (p=0.708). ERHBAS total and subscale scores were similar across groups (p>0.05). Age differed between groups (p=0.024), significant only between Groups 1 and 2. PSS scores were higher in Group 3 compared to Groups 1 and 2 (p<0.001), while TKS scores showed no group differences (p=0.844). Correlation analysis indicated positive associations of age with PSS (p=0.018) and TKS (p=0.006), and a negative association between ERHBAS and PSS (p=0.037). Perceived stress was higher in Group 3. Kinesiophobia was similar across groups and increased with age. Exercise-related beliefs were similar but decreased as stress increased. These results highlight the role of psychosocial factors in managing rheumatic diseases.

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Cite This Article

Ergün, B., Elbastı, M. Ş., Baglan-Yentur, S., Yamancan, G. (2026). Examination of exercise-related health beliefs, kinesiophobia, and perceived stress across different rheumatological diagnostic groups. Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, Volume: 12 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.31459/turkjkin.1793044

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