Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ)

Williamson, Esther

doi:10.1016/s0004-9514(06)70052-6

Cited by 92Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitationAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesMedical Practices and Rehabilitation

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Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ)

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Williamson, Esther·2006·Australian Journal of Physiotherapy

DOI 10.1016/s0004-9514(06)70052-6

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FABQ is correlated with Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire (r=0.455, =0.000) and with Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (0.53 for FABQ work subscale and 0.76 for physical activity subscale).
“FABQ is correlated with Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire (r=0.455, =0.000) and with Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, another measure of fear avoidance (0.53 for FABQ work subscale and 0.76 for the physical activity subscale).37”
From Protocol for a feasibility and acceptability study using a brief ACT-based intervention for people from Southwest Wales who live with persistent pain (2018) · cites this paper as [37]
The “Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ)” section reports the stated correlations with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia: 0.53 for the work subscale and 0.76 for the physical activity subscale. It also reports a correlation with the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire, but gives 0.52 for the total FABQ, not 0.455, and does not give the claimed significance value. (LLM, conf=0.92)
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A Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and the role of fear-avoidance beliefs in chronic low back pain and disability.
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“…1992) (Bath & Grona, 2015; Murphy et al., 2013) Fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) 16 items with overall score range 0–96 (best to worst) Baseline Valid and reliable (Williamson, 2006) (Bath & Grona, 2015) Back beliefs questionnaire (BBQ) 14 items (5 not scored) with overall score range…”
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“It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete [46].”
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“…Disability index (ODi) [22], Numeric Pain Rating scale (NPRs) [23], psychosocial covariate measures [Fear avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FaBQ) [28], Pain catastrophizing scale (Pcs) [25], and Pain self-efficacy scale (PseQ) [24], Brief Resilience scale (BRs) [29], Neurophysiology of Pain…”
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A cross-sectional hospital-based study of correlates of disability in patients with chronic low back pain in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Kahere, M., & Ginindza, T. G. (2022) · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders · doi:10.1186/s12891-022-05397-4 · Cited by 5
Sequence of application and assessment of the means of physical rehabilitation of surgical patient after arthroscopic-controlled restoration of the anterior cruciate ligament
Beziazychna, О., Литовченко, В. О., Пустовойт, Б. А., & Літовченко, А. В. (2020) · Health sport rehabilitation · doi:10.34142/hsr.2020.06.01.01 · Cited by 5
Assessment and treatment of patients with kinesiophobia: A Delphi consensus
Mattias, S., Diener, I., & Rob, O. (2022) · Journal of Novel Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation · doi:10.29328/journal.jnpr.1001047 · Cited by 4
“Thus, in the assessment of the patient with kinesiophobia, it is recommended to use the TAMPA or FABQ score to con irm and evaluate the intensity of the kinesiophobia, ask “speci ic questions” to the patient and use photographs of daily activities to prioritize the patient’s dreaded activities.”
MethodInfluential
The association between psychosocial distress, pain and disability in patients with persistent low back pain —A cross-sectional study
Fisker, A., Petersen, T., Langberg, H., & Mortensen, O. S. (2018) · Cogent Medicine · doi:10.1080/2331205x.2018.1534536 · Cited by 3
“This instrument was found to have acceptable factor structure, internal consistency, test–retest reliability and construct validity (Grotle, Brox, & Vollestad, 2006; Williamson, 2006).”
Method
Investigating Whether a Combination of Electro-Encephalography and Gene Expression Profiling Can Predict the Risk of Chronic Pain: A Protocol for an Observational Prospective Cohort Study
Sannes, A., Ghani, U., Niazi, I. K., Moberget, T., Jonassen, R., Haavik, H., & Gjerstad, J. (2024) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci14070641 · Cited by 3
“…the psychological and functional aspects of experiencing pain, fear avoidance, pain catastrophizing, and functional status, the Fear-Avoidance Questionnaire (physical activity) [46,47], Pain Catastrophizing Scale [48], and Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire [49] are included, respectively.”
Method
Which patients do not seek additional medical care after a self-management class for low back pain? An observational cohort
Garcia, A. N., Cook, C. E., & Rhon, D. I. (2019) · Clinical Rehabilitation · doi:10.1177/0269215519865013 · Cited by 3
Ankle cartilage health and physical activity in adults with a history of lateral ankle sprain
Mohammadi, A., Reynolds, L. J., & McCann, R. S. (2025) · Physiotherapy Theory and Practice · doi:10.1080/09593985.2025.2546083 · Cited by 2
Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study on Determinants of Outcomes in Lumbar Radiculopathy Surgery
Aceituno-Rodríguez, A., Bustamante, C. G. A., Rodríguez‐Rivera, C., Álvarez, M. M., Moro, C. R., Cañas, R. G., Goicoechea, C., & Matesanz-García, L. (2025) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare13192444 · Cited by 2
“The FABQ consists of 16 items, each rated on a seven-point Likert scale (0 = totally disagree, 6 = totally agree) [39,40].”
Changes in isokinetic trunk muscle strength and endurance after two different restoration programs in people with chronic low back pain: A longitudinal retrospective study
Coleman, M., Linières, J., Théry, C., Gautier, A., Daste, C., Rannou, F., Nguyen, C., Lefèvre‐Colau, M., & Rören, A. (2024) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34914 · Cited by 2
“The test-retest reliability of the FABQ in people with low back pain is good to excellent [42].”
Identifying Key Factors Influencing Hospital Stay After Spine Surgery: A Comprehensive Predictive Model
Langella, F., Barile, F., López, P. B., Fusini, F., Compagnone, D., Vanni, D., Damilano, M., & Berjano, P. L. (2025) · Global Spine Journal · doi:10.1177/21925682251331451 · Cited by 2
Lombalgie chronique : facteurs de passage à la chronicité Chronic low back pain: Risk factors for chronicity
Nguyen, C., Poiraudeau, S., Revel, M., & Papelard, A. (2009) · Cited by 2
Effects of a tailored multidisciplinary counselling intervention to support the adjustment process after a traumatic injury: a randomized controlled trial
Hegy, J. K., Abegglen, S., Schade, V., Hoffmann‐Richter, U., & Znoj, H. (2021) · Disability and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/09638288.2021.1960442 · Cited by 2
The Relationship Between Fear Avoidance Beliefs and Physical Disability in Patients with Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis
Namlı, M. N. (2022) · The Turkish Journal of Geriatrics · doi:10.31086/tjgeri.2022.288 · Cited by 2
Assessing Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire and Quality of Life in Housewives with Knee Osteoarthritis : A Research Protocol
Ghordadekar, D. (2021) · Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology · doi:10.37506/ijfmt.v15i1.13373 · Cited by 2
The competence of physiotherapists to deliver a cognitive behavioural approach for low back pain
Hansen, Z. (2026) · Warwick Research Archive Portal (University of Warwick) · doi:10.82444/warw.33646315 · Cited by 2
Muscle coactivation changes following a fatiguing overhead drilling task: Implications for subacromial impingement syndrome
Russell, M. S., Vasilounis, S. S., Lefebvre, E., Drake, J. D. M., & Chopp‐Hurley, J. N. (2025) · Applied Ergonomics · doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104470 · Cited by 1
Can breathing exercises effectively treat people with chronic non-specific low back pain? A systemic review with meta-analysis
Chen, A. Y.-J., Lin, I.-K., Chen, Y.-T., Luo, H.-J., Yen-Wei, C., & Wang, W. T.-J. (2025) · Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation · doi:10.1177/10538127251374357 · Cited by 2
“The variability in FABQ-PA may be explained by a potential ceiling effect, 71 contributing to a wider CI that encompassed the MID, leading to a downgrade for imprecision.”
Investigating the long-term impact of a programme of mindfulness combined with exercise delivered online (MOVE) on individuals living with chronic pain-an exploratory one-year follow-up of a feasibility randomised control trial
Deegan, O., Yoshitani, M., Fullen, B. M., Gordon, M., McDonagh, O., Sheerin, O., Murphy, J., Oyebode, O., Segurado, R., Hearty, C., et al. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0323508 · Cited by 1
“The Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ) measured how patients’ beliefs contribute to their disability and consists of two subscales investigating physical activity and work [28].”
Cross-cultural translation and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) in patients with low back pain
Cioeta, M., Meroni, R., Pellicciari, L., Fagnani, L., Rossi, F., & Marelli, M. (2025) · Disability and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/09638288.2025.2570851 · Cited by 1
“…in reducing healthcare utilization and work absenteeism [13,14]. several patient-related outcome measures have been developed to measure those constructs in LBP people, such as the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, Pain self-efficacy Questionnaire, and Pain catastrophizing scale [15–17].”
A Novel Virtual Reality Intervention Combining Movement Exercises and Body Illusions for the Treatment of Chronic Back Pain: Prospective Feasibility Study
Neumann, I., Lindner, S., Nedilko, Y., Zhivova, R., Gödde, M., Tischer‐Zeitz, T., Rittner, H. L., & Käthner, I. (2026) · JMIR Serious Games · doi:10.2196/81051 · Cited by 1
“…beliefs assessed with the FABQ, none of the participants had scores above values for fear-avoidance beliefs related to work that are considered high, and for the physical activity subscale, only 1 participant had a high score (>15) that dropped to 3 (postintervention evaluation) [105,106].”
Behandlung komplexer Beinbeschwerden nach dem Fasziendistorsionsmodell
Bangerter, C., & Boss, R. (2021) · Manuelle Medizin · doi:10.1007/s00337-020-00755-6 · Cited by 1
Protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial comparing cognitive functional therapy with usual physiotherapy care in people with persistent low back pain
Newton, C., Singh, G., Nolan, D., Booth, V., Diver, C. J., O’Neill, S., O’Sullivan, K., O’Sullivan, P., & Logan, P. (2021) · Physiotherapy Practice and Research · doi:10.3233/ppr-200488 · Cited by 1
“The FABQ has good-test-retest reliability and correlation to measures of LBP disability [76].”
Determinants of outcomes for patients with chronic low back pain and fear-avoidance beliefs following treatment with specific stabilisation exercises
Ikwuanusi, S., Tella, B. A., Akinbo, S., NWAEDOZIE, O. C., & Adje, M. (2024) · Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation · doi:10.3233/bmr-230312 · Cited by 1
“Those who had a score of less than 15 on the FABQPA or less than 35 on the FABQW were classiﬁed as low on the FABQ [26].”
Method
Factors associated with fear avoidance beliefs among University students with Low Back Pain in the United Kingdom: A cross-sectional survey study protocol
Chow, T. Y. S., & Igwesi-Chidobe, C. N. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0323955 · Cited by 1
“…and assess participants’ beliefs about the impact of physical activity and occupation on their LBP. Studies showed that the FABQ is both valid and reliable; it is also an excellent prognostic tool for LBP, which aids in increasing the attention to address the issue with FAB earlier on [45–47].”
Exploring the mediators of the BOOST intervention on walking disability at 12 months: a causal mediation analysis
Wood, L., Comer, C. M., Newell, P., Ribeiro, D. C., Williamson, E. M., & Lamb, S. E. (2025) · Journal of physiotherapy · doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2025.05.012 · Cited by 1
Self-citation
Biopsychosocial evaluation of a spinal triage service delivered by physiotherapists in collaboration with orthopaedic surgeons
Bath, B. L. (2012) · University Library - University of Saskatchewan (University of Saskatchewan) · Cited by 1
The Professional Support Needs and Experiences of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: a Mixed Methods Study
Bull, M. E. (2015) · University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire) · doi:10.18745/th.16353 · Cited by 1
“Williamson (2006) reports that the reliability and validity of the FABQ has been established by a range of studies and it is acceptable for use in clinical practice.”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Cervical and Thoracic Pain: Evidence for Effectiveness of Physical Therapy
Schenk, R. J., & Wise, C. H. (2011) · Orthopaedic Section, APTA, Inc. eBooks · doi:10.17832/isc.2011.21.1.6
The Reliability and Validity of the Malay® Version of Tampa scale of Kinesiophobia in Older Persons with Low Back Pain
Ishak, N. A., Zahari, Z., & Justine, M. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-13-0074-5_58
Controlabilidade e coping em lombalgia crônica : um estudo com ressonância magnética funcionall
Jorge, L. L. (2020) · doi:10.11606/t.5.2020.tde-12022020-113043
A Mindful ACT - Developing a brief ACT-based intervention for people receiving osteopathy treatment and living with persistent pain
Saracutu, M. M. (2019) · Cronfa (Swansea University) · doi:10.23889/suthesis.54524
“Avoidance may lead to an increase in disability, reduced activity levels and adverse physical and psychological effects (Williamson, 2006).”
Background
Langzeiteffekte multimodaler Behandlung chronischer Schmerzen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der analgetischen Medikation
Neuschulz, E. (2013) · eDiss (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen) · doi:10.53846/goediss-3903 · Cited by 1
The use of technology in measuring low back function and morphology in low back pain patients
Hofste, A. (2022) · doi:10.33612/diss.236924146
Psychological profiles of patients reporting with musculoskeletal shoulder or elbow pain
Xing, C., Lane, M. B., Feik, M. L., Taylor, J., Gregory, J. M., & Myers, N. L. (2025) · JSES International · doi:10.1016/j.jseint.2025.02.006
“63 There are preferred measures for examining depression and anxiety in individuals with MSK pain; for depression, these include but are not limited to the following: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale; for anxiety, these include…”
Understanding responsiveness to an exercise intervention for people with persistent low back pain and lateral abdominal muscle impairments. A mixed methods study
Prentice, C. L. S., Flavell, C. A., Massy‐Westropp, N., & Milanese, S. (2025) · Physiotherapy Theory and Practice · doi:10.1080/09593985.2025.2484593
“…identifying participants that require an adjusted program or psychologically informed treatment, therapists could ask patients to complete validated questionnaires such as the Pain Stages of Change (Kerns et al, 1997; Mun et al, 2020) and Fear Avoidance Beliefs questionnaires (Williamson, 2006).”
Outcome measures for determining treatment efficacy in radiculopathy
Shamna, K., & Manju, C. (2025) · International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology · doi:10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20252593
French physical activity perception questionnaire for chronic low back pain: development and preliminary validation
Monborne, I., Ducret, J., Pelletier-Visa, M., Coudeyre, E., Lanhers, C., & Guiguet‐Auclair, C. (2026) · Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.rehab.2026.102113

Authors: Williamson, E.
Affiliations: University of Warwick (GB)
Corresponding author: Williamson, Esther
ORCID: Williamson, Esther
Venue: Australian Journal of Physiotherapy
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2006
Volume: 52
Issue: 2
Pages: 149
ISSN: 0004-9514 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/s0004-9514(06)70052-6
OpenAlex: W2070851915
Cited by: 92
References: 11
Citations by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
FWCI: 0.83
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/open-access/userlicense/1.0/ (vor, 2971 d)
Locations: Australian Journal of Physiotherapy (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Medical Practices and Rehabilitation
Keywords: fear-avoidance beliefs, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, fear of pain, psychometric properties
MeSH terms: Aged, Fear, Humans, Personality Assessment, Surveys and Questionnaires, Reproducibility of Results, Low Back Pain

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