Depression and self-efficacy are moderators in the relationship between disability and pain in persons with frozen shoulder

Abstract

The rehabilitation of patients with frozen shoulder (FS) is often a long and complicated process with dissatisfying treatment outcomes. A person's pain perception and behavior can be moderated by cognitive and affective processes. It is important to understand which specific factors may play a moderating role in terms of disability and pain in FS patients. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to assess to what extent self-efficacy, kinesiophobia, anxiety and depression are moderating factors in the relationship between disability and pain in patients with FS. There are two hypotheses in the present study. First, there is a relationship between upper extremity disability and pain. Second, as cognitive and emotional aspects of pain, self-efficacy, kinesiophobia, anxiety and/or depression moderate the relationship between upper extremity disability and pain. Our results show that self-efficacy and depression are moderators in the relationship between disability and pain in persons with FS. These results highlight that integration of treatment strategies, to improve self-efficacy and depression, can be beneficial in the management of pain in FS patients.