When Pain Paralyzes: An Analysis of the ProperDual Program in Athletes with Chronic Pain
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Abstract
Chronic pain is a condition with high prevalence in the global population, a fact that also extends to athletes. Among the multiple variables that comprise this phenomenon is kinesiophobia, understood as an irrational fear of movement. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the impact of kinesiophobia in athletes with chronic pain by evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention developed within the framework of the ProperDual program. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining questionnaires (including the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia - TSK-11SV) and focus groups, administered pre- and post-intervention to a sample of four athletes. Quantitative results showed a general decrease in kinesiophobia, with reductions observed in the activity avoidance and harm beliefs dimensions. Similarly, the qualitative data indicated a shift in participants' internal narratives toward more adaptive pain coping. Thus, the study’s findings suggest that a biopsychosocial and enactive intervention, such as that proposed by the ProperDual, may have a significant impact on reducing kinesiophobia in athletes living with chronic pain.
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