Factors influencing kinesiophobia during the “blanking period” after radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation by the fear-avoidance model

Background The influencing factors of kinesiophobia (fear of movement) in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)during the post-operative “Blanking Period” are not known. The aims were to investigate the status of kinesiophobia in patients with AF during the post-operative “Blanking Period”, then further describe the occurrence and analyze the influencing factors of patients' kinesiophobia by the Fear-Avoidance Model. Materials and methods In total,400 patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, during the post-operative “Blanking Period” from the selected hospital were included in this study. The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart (TSK-SV Heart), the Self-efficacy for Exercise (SEE) scale, and the Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS) were used to assess kinesiophobia, exercise self-efficacy, and physical function. The study adopted a cross-sectional design. Results The score of kinesiophobia during the “Blanking Period” after operation in patients with atrial fibrillation was (44.06 ± 10.77), and the rate of high kinesiophobia was 71.61%.Logistic regression results showed that age, education, household monthly income, resting heart rate, EHRA symptom classification, exercise self-efficacy, and physical function influenced the kinesiophobia of patients during the post-operative “Blanking Period”(p<0.05， p<0.01). Conclusions Kinesiophobia is common in patients with atrial fibrillation during the postoperative “Blanking Period”, and the fear of movement is related to age, education, household monthly income, resting heart rate, EHRA symptom classification, exercise self-efficacy, and physical function. Clinical and nursing staff should pay close attention to the psychological problems in the post-operation “Blanking Period” of exercise rehabilitation in patients with atrial fibrillation, make timely interventions to reduce patients' fear of movement, and improve patients' compliance with exercise rehabilitation.