Latent profile analysis and influencing factors of kinesiophobia among young and middle-aged patients with coronary heart disease

Objective To explore latent profiles and influencing factors of kinesiophobia among young and middle-aged patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods This cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling to recruit young and middle-aged patients with CHD from a tertiary hospital in Wuhan between September and November 2025. Participants were investigated using a general information questionnaire, the Fear of Activity in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease (Fact-CAD), Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), Social Support Scale for Exercise (SSSE), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Piper Fatigue Scale-12 (PFS-12). Potential categories of kinesiophobia in patients were identified using latent profile analysis (LPA), and univariate analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis were employed to investigate the influencing factors of different profiles. Results LPA identified three distinct categories of kinesiophobia: low kinesiophobia-selective sensitivity type, moderate kinesiophobia-perceptual sensitivity type, high kinesiophobia-fear avoidance type. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that educational attainment, number of stents implanted, exercise self-efficacy, exercise social support, and fatigue were significant factors influencing these categories ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Significant heterogeneity exists in kinesiophobia levels among young and middle-aged patients with CHD. Healthcare providers should focus on the distinct kinesiophobia characteristics of different patients and implement targeted intervention strategies to reduce kinesiophobia levels.