Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition that causes pain and stiffness in the joints. Despite the known benefits of physical activity in easing symptoms, only a small percentage of people with knee OA regularly exercise. A study from the University of South Australia aimed to understand why people with knee OA are inactive, and found that many unconsciously believe that exercise may be dangerous for their condition, despite medical recommendations stating otherwise.
The research revealed that 69% of people with knee pain held stronger implicit beliefs that exercise was dangerous compared to the average person without pain. This conflicting nature of pain and exercise highlights the importance of understanding the unconscious beliefs that individuals hold. Lead researcher Brian Pulling emphasized the significance of these findings in providing insights for clinicians treating patients with knee OA. While questionnaires are commonly used to assess fear of movement, they may not capture the true beliefs that people hold deep down.
To address this gap, the researchers developed a tool to detect and evaluate people’s implicit beliefs about exercise. Even among those who reported not being fearful of exercise, the tool revealed that many still held unconscious beliefs that movement was dangerous. This suggests that people may not be fully aware of their true feelings towards physical activity, and that their implicit beliefs can be a better predictor of behavior than self-reported attitudes.
The online implicit association test created by the researchers presents a series of words and images for participants to associate with being either safe or dangerous. The purpose of the test is to elicit quick and instinctive responses, bypassing conscious deliberation and biases. Associate Professor Tasha Stanton highlighted the potential of the tool in identifying individuals who may struggle to increase their activity levels and engage in exercise effectively.
The study findings suggest that there is a disconnection between what people say and what they actually believe when it comes to exercise and knee OA. Understanding these implicit beliefs is crucial in helping health professionals better support patients in becoming more active. By identifying individuals who may have challenges with increasing their activity levels, clinicians can tailor interventions and therapies to address these specific concerns.
Moving forward, researchers are investigating the direct association between implicit beliefs and behavior. They are urging people to participate in the Implicit Association Test to assess their own beliefs about exercise and compare them to the general population. By gaining a better understanding of how implicit beliefs influence behavior, healthcare providers can enhance their interventions and support patients with knee OA in leading more active and healthy lifestyles.