Kinesiophobia and balance after stroke

Kinesiophobia, Balance Performance, Fear of Falling, and Related Factors in Stroke Patients

Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital · NCT07241429

This project will test whether fear of movement (kinesiophobia) is linked to balance, balance confidence, pain, and mood in adults hospitalized after a stroke.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment138 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorIstanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital (other gov)
Locations1 site (Istanbul)
Trial IDNCT07241429 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a cross-sectional study enrolling 138 inpatient stroke patients at the Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital. Participants will complete standardized questionnaires and performance measures including the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale-17, Berg Balance Scale, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale-6, Falls Efficacy Scale, VAS for pain, and HADS for mood. Clinical and demographic data such as Brunnstrom stages and Barthel Index will also be recorded. The study will use statistical analyses to examine relationships among kinesiophobia, balance performance, confidence, pain, and mood.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–80 with a history of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who are inpatients, can ambulate at Functional Ambulation Scale level ≥3, and have a standardized mini mental test score ≥24 are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with recent musculoskeletal surgery or trauma, vestibular disorders, other neurological or major psychiatric/rheumatologic diseases, or decompensated cardiac, renal, or hepatic failure are excluded and would not be eligible to participate or directly benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If relationships are identified, clinicians could better recognize patients whose fear of movement may contribute to poor balance and tailor rehabilitation or fall-prevention efforts.

How similar studies have performed: Prior observational studies have found links between fear of movement or fear of falling and balance outcomes in stroke survivors, but results vary by population and measurement methods.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Voluntary participation in the study
* Male and female patients aged 18-80
* History of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
* Functional Ambulation Scale level 3 or higher
* Standardized mini mental test ≥ 24
* Individuals who agree to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of musculoskeletal surgery within the last year
* Trauma, fracture, dislocation, or tumor within the last year
* Vestibular system disorder
* Additional neurological disease that may affect balance (Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, vestibular system disorder)
* Other rheumatological or psychiatric diseases
* Chronic decompensated cardiac, renal, or hepatic failure

Where this trial is running

Istanbul

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Stroke, Kinesiophobia, Postural Balance, Fear of Falling

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.