Does the awareness of having a lumbar spondylolisthesis influence self-efficacy and kinesiophobia? A retrospective analysis

Background:High pain self-efficacy and low kinesiophobia seem related to a better prognosis in patientscomplaining of low back pain (LBP). The literature stresses the potential negative effects of anatomical defectdiagnosis (e.g. lumbar spondylolisthesis) on the psychological profile. The aim of this study is to investigate therelationships between awareness of having a spondylolisthesis, pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia.Methods:A secondary retrospective analysis was done. Ninety-eight subjects with subacute and chronic LBP wereincluded: 49 subjects with diagnosed symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis and 49 subjects with diagnosed non-specific LBP. The pain self-efficacy measured with the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and the fear of movementmeasured with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia were considered variables to investigate, whereas diagnosis anddemographic/clinical variables were considered predictors or potential confounders.Results:By comparing the two groups, the awareness of having a spondylolisthesis did not significantly influenceneither pain self-efficacy (p= 0.82), nor kinesiophobia (p= 0.75). Higher perceived pain reduces pain self-efficacyand increases kinesiophobia in both groups (p= 0.002 and p = 0,031 respectively).Conclusions:It seems that the awareness of an anatomical defect as spondylolisthesis does not significantly affectthe beliefs of carry out activities and movements despite the pain. Other studies with wider samples are required,to confirm these preliminary results.