The Challenge of Kinesiophobia in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs: A Rapid Review

Kinesiophobia has been increasingly recognized as an important psychosocial barrier in cardiac rehabilitation (CR), negatively influencing patients’ engagement in physical activity, adherence to prescribed exercise programs, and overall rehabilitation outcomes. Although this phenomenon is not new, the existing evidence in the context of CR remains fragmented across quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies, limiting its translation into structured clinical practice.