Which Psychological and Psychosocial Constructs Are Important to Measure in Future Tendinopathy Clinical Trials? A Modified International Delphi Study With Expert Clinician/ Researchers and People With Tendinopathy

Carl Stubbs, Sean McAuliffe, Ruth L. Chimenti, Brooke K. Coombes, Terry Haines, Luke Heales, Robert Jan de Vos, Greg Lehman, Adrian Mallows, Lori A. Michener, Neal L. Millar, Seth O’Neill, Kieran O’Sullivan, Melanie Plinsinga, Michael Rathleff, Ebonie Rio, Megan Ross, Jean Sebastien Roy, Karin Gravare Silbernagel, Athol ThomsonTim Trevail, Inge Van Den Akker-Scheek, Bill Vicenzino, Johan W.S. Vlaeyen, Rafael Zambelli Pinto, Peter Malliaras

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

t OBJECTIVE: To identify which psychological and psychosocial constructs to include in a core outcome set to guide future clinical trials in the tendinopathy field. t DESIGN: Modified International Delphi study. t METHODS: In 3 online Delphi rounds, we presented 35 psychological and psychosocial constructs to an international panel of 38 clinician/ researchers and people with tendinopathy. Using a 9-point Likert scale (1 = not important to include, 9 = critical to include), consensus for construct inclusion required ≥70% of respondents rating “extremely critical to include” (score ≥7) and ≤15% rating “not important to include” (score ≤3). Consensus for exclusion required ≥70% of respondents rating “not important to include” (score ≤3) and ≤15% of rating “critical to include” (score ≥7). t RESULTS: Thirty-six participants (95% of 38) completed round 1, 90% (n = 34) completed round 2, and 87% (n = 33) completed round 3. Four constructs were deemed important to include as part of a core outcome set: kinesiophobia (82%, median: 8, interquartile range [IQR]: 1.0), pain beliefs (76%, median: −7, IQR: 1.0), pain-related self-efficacy (71%, median: 7, IQR: 2.0), and fear-avoidance beliefs (73%, median: −7, IQR: 1.0). Six constructs were deemed not important to include: perceived injustice (82%), individual attitudes of family members (74%), social isolation and loneliness (73%), job satisfaction (73%), coping (70%), and educational attainment (70%). Clinician/researchers and people with tendinopathy reached consensus that kinesiophobia, pain beliefs, pain self-efficacy, and fear-avoidance beliefs were important psychological constructs to measure in tendinopathy clinical trials.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14-25
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
Volume54
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Keywords

  • fear-avoidance beliefs
  • kinesiophobia
  • pain beliefs
  • pain self-efficacy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Which Psychological and Psychosocial Constructs Are Important to Measure in Future Tendinopathy Clinical Trials? A Modified International Delphi Study With Expert Clinician/ Researchers and People With Tendinopathy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this