Relationship between kinesiophobia and fear of falling in patients suffering from stroke leading to physical disability in selected rehabilitation center of Bangladesh

Abstract Background Psychological barriers in stroke rehabilitation remain understudied in low-resource settings. This cross-sectional study examines relationships between kinesiophobia, fear of falling (FOF), and physical disability in Bangladeshi stroke patients. Methods Using validated Bangla versions of WHODAS 2.0 (12-item), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-17), and Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), we assessed 200 patients from two rehabilitation centers. Pearson correlations and linear regression analyzed associations between psychological factors and disability. Results Participants showed moderate-severe scores: WHODAS 2.0 (M = 43.65 ±6.78), TSK (M = 47.26 ±5.44), FES-I (M = 49.12 ±7.20). Strong correlations emerged between WHODAS-FES-I (r = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.58–0.71) and TSK-FES-I (r = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.47–0.62). Regression models identified age ≥56 (β = 0.34, p = 0.002) and female gender (β = 0.28, p = 0.008) as significant predictors of higher psychological scores. Conclusion Psychological factors strongly correlate with physical disability in Bangladeshi stroke survivors, with demographic predictors suggesting the need for gender- and age-specific interventions. Study limitations include recruitment from two urban centers and a cross-sectional design. Integration of psychological assessment in rehabilitation protocols is recommended.