Exercise sensitivity, physical activity, and kinesiophobia in patients with chronic coronary syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Introduction:
Cardiac risk factors and diseases exacerbate anxiety and may cause exercise sensitivity by increasing awareness of physical conditions. However, the extent to which exercise sensitivity influences the level of physical activity and kinesiophobia in CVD patients is unclear.

Aim:
The current study aimed to determine exercise sensitivity and its associated kinesiophobia and physical activity levels in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).

Material and methods:
This cross-sectional study involved 43 patients diagnosed with CCS and 45 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals. Exercise sensitivity (questionnaire created by researchers), physical activity levels (short form Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ), and kinesiophobia (Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale Heart, TSK-H) were evaluated.

Results:
The exercise sensitivity score (ESS, 37.40 ±7.38 and 33.65 ±5.83, p = 0.010) was higher in the CSS group. During exercise, feeling pain, depletion of energy fatigue, chest pain, chest tightness, dizziness, palpitations, dyspnoea, and fainting frightened the patients (p < 0.05). The TSK-H score was higher, and the difference was significant in CCS patients compared the healthy controls (p = 0.007). Tye physical activity level was lower in patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.001), and 58.1% of CCS patients were inactive. ESS was significantly associated with IPAQ score (r = –0.360; p = 0.018) and TKS-H score (r = 0.529; p < 0.001) in CCS patients. According to linear regression analyses, exercise sensitivity explains 25% of kinesiophobia and physical activity.

Conclusions:
Patients with CCS exhibit fear and sensitivity towards exercise, and these fears contribute to high levels of kinesiophobia and low physical activity levels. Future studies should be designed based on exercise sensitivity to increase participation in exercise-based programs.