Optimizing Health-Related Outcomes Following Musculoskeletal Injury Through the Integration of Self-Efficacy Theory and the Fear Avoidance Model

A primary goal of rehabilitation is to produce optimal health-related quality of life outcomes, which includes returning patients to their desired level of activity. Injury-related fear, kinesiophobia, and fear-avoidance beliefs are psychological factors that negatively impact health-related quality of life and are associated with decreased levels of physical activity. Conversely, increased levels of self-efficacy have been linked to favorable rehabilitation outcomes. To promote full recovery and optimal health-related quality of life, the rehabilitation process should consider addressing self-efficacy and injury-related fear (e.g., kinesiophobia, fear-avoidance beliefs). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to introduce a theoretical framework which integrates self-efficacy theory and the Fear-Avoidance Model to mitigate injury-related fear and optimize patient outcomes following musculoskeletal injury. The intention of this theoretical framework is to provide clinicians with psychosocial interventions to improve self-efficacy and prevent the progression of injury-related fear at varying times throughout the rehabilitation process.