Physical activity, sedentary time and the psychological variables, pain-acceptance, fear-avoidance and selfefficacy after an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program – a pilot study
Katarina Nilsask, Marcelo Rivano Fischer and Anita Wisén
Background: Objective evaluation of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) is poorly researched
in interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation (IPR) of chronic pain.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate PA and ST levels by accelerometry, as well as any
correlation with the psychological variables pain-acceptance, fear-avoidance and self-efficacy after an
IPR program.
Patients and methods: Analyses were conducted on 12 women participating in an IPR program.
Measurements were made with accelerometer ActiLife GT3X and psychological questionnaires for
pain-acceptance, fear-avoidance and self-efficacy before (M1), after the program (M2) and after followup (M3).
Results: There were no significant changes in PA or ST at group level between measurements. The
median sedentary level was 67% of wearing time per day at all measurements. The distribution of time
at M3 spent, in low PA was 2.1-8.4 hours/day, and in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 2-62 min/
day. Pain-acceptance and fear-avoidance were significantly improved at M3. There were no significant
correlations between PA, ST and the psychological variables.
Conclusion: Most participants seemed to adhere to their existing management strategies with low PA
level and high ST. PA and ST should be emphasized in pain rehabilitation and low active/high sedentary
persons need to be identified early for targeted individualized treatment.
