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.