Correlation between muscle strength and the degrees of functionality and kinesiophobia reported by patients with chronic hip pain

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to identify the association between hip muscle strength and the scores from subjective functional and psychological evaluation questionnaires in patients with chronic hip pain. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with painful hip injuries (30 males) performed isometric peak strength tests of the abductors, extensors, and internal and external rotators of the hips with a hand-held dynamometer. The degree of functionality was measured by the Hip Outcome Score (HOS) and Lower Extremity Functional Score (LEFS), pain was estimated by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and kinesiophobia was calculated using the Tampa questionnaire. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used (alfa=5%) to test the associations between the muscle strength and the scores from the questionnaires. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between the strength of all four hip muscles and the HOS (r>0.29). Only the hip external rotators showed a significant correlation with pain (r=-0.30). No significant correlations were found for LEFS (r<0.24) and Tampa questionnaires (r←0.15). Correlation between muscle strength and the degrees of functionality and kinesiophobia reported by patients with chronic hip painCorrelação entre força muscular e graus de funcionalidade e cinesiofobia relatada por pacientes com dor crônica no quadril