Mediation analysis with estimated group differences based on linear mixed models^*.

<p>*Linear mixed models with unstructured repeated covariance, treatment and measurement in time as factors and outcome at baseline as covariate, corrected for “extremity”, “dominant side affected”, and “time since inciting event” as confounding variables.</p><p>PEPT = Pain Exposure Physical Therapy. CONV = conventional treatment. VAS = Visual Analogue Scale. FABQ = Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire. PCS = Pain Catastrophizing Scale.</p><p>Mediation analysis with estimated group differences based on linear mixed models^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0123008#t003fn001" target="_blank">*</a>}.</p

The fear-avoidance model, showing the targets of Pain Exposure Physical Therapy and graded exposure treatment.

<p>In this model, pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear and avoidance are thought to be mediators for the treatment of disability and consequently pain. Reproduced from Vlaeyen and Linton [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0123008#pone.0123008.ref007" target="_blank">7</a>]. PEPT = Pain Exposure Physical Therapy. GEXP = Graded Exposure treatment.</p

Baseline characteristics of the participants.

<p>* Mean (SD).</p><p>^† Median (interquartile range).</p><p>PEPT = Pain Exposure Physical Therapy. CONV = conventional treatment.</p><p>Baseline characteristics of the participants.</p

Descriptives of the dependent variables and the mediator variables.

<p>All data are mean (SD).</p><p>PEPT = Pain Exposure Physical Therapy. CONV = conventional treatment. VAS = Visual Analogue Scale. FABQ = Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire. PCS = Pain Catastrophizing Scale.</p><p>Descriptives of the dependent variables and the mediator variables.</p

Outcomes for both treatment groups at baseline and at 3, 6, and 9 months follow-up.

<p>Panel A: dependent variables pain-related disability and pain. Panel B: potential mediators fear-avoidance beliefs, pain catastrophizing, and kinesiophobia. PDI = Pain Disability Index. VAS = Visual Analogue Scale. FABQ = Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire. PCS = Pain Catastrophizing Scale. TSK = Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. CONV = conventional treatment. PEPT = Pain Exposure Physical Therapy.</p