Calculator
Rate each statement from 0 (completely disagree) to 6 (completely agree). Choose N/A if a statement does not apply.
Formula Used
- Physical Activity score = Q2 + Q3 + Q4 + Q5.
- Work score = Q6 + Q7 + Q9 + Q10 + Q11 + Q12 + Q15.
- Standard Total = Physical Activity score + Work score.
- Percent = (Total ÷ Max answered) × 100.
How to Use
- Read each statement and select your agreement level.
- Use N/A if a statement does not fit you.
- Pick how N/A should affect your maximum score.
- Press “Calculate Score” to view results above.
- Download CSV or PDF for sharing or tracking.
Example Data Table
| Date | Activity Score | Work Score | Standard Total | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-01 | 8 / 24 | 10 / 42 | 18 / 66 | Low |
| 2026-02-10 | 14 / 24 | 22 / 42 | 36 / 66 | Moderate |
| 2026-02-20 | 20 / 24 | 33 / 42 | 53 / 66 | High |
Use examples only as a reference. Real results depend on your answers and context.
Important Note
This tool provides an educational score and summary only. It cannot diagnose a condition. If you have severe pain, distress, or safety concerns, seek professional help.
Why fear avoidance matters
Fear-avoidance beliefs can amplify pain-related disability by reducing movement, work participation, and confidence. Avoidance may bring short-term relief, yet over time it can lower conditioning and increase sensitivity to normal activity. This calculator turns your responses into structured scores so you can spot trends and share results consistently.
How scoring is calculated
Each statement is rated from 0 to 6, where higher numbers reflect stronger agreement. The Physical Activity subscale sums four items (Q2–Q5) for a maximum of 24, capturing beliefs about movement and harm. The Work subscale sums seven items (Q6, Q7, Q9–Q12, Q15) for a maximum of 42, focusing on job-related concerns and return-to-work expectations. Together, the standard total ranges up to 66 when all standard items are answered.
Understanding percent bands
To make results comparable, totals are converted to a percent of the answered maximum. The calculator labels results as Low below 33%, Moderate from 33% to 66%, and High above 66%. These bands are simple screening categories, not medical cutoffs. If you mark items as N/A, you can either exclude them from the maximum or treat them as zero. Excluding N/A typically gives a fairer percent for people who are not working or who cannot judge certain items.
Using results for tracking
Scores are most useful when tracked over time alongside context like flare-ups, workload changes, sleep, and activity goals. Use the CSV export to build a log, then look for shifts rather than single-day spikes. Compare Physical Activity and Work subscales separately to understand where avoidance is concentrated. If the percent changes, confirm that the same N/A handling and similar items were answered, otherwise the maximum may differ between sessions.
When to seek support
High scores do not prove a diagnosis, but they can signal that fear of movement or work is limiting function. If you are skipping tasks you value, canceling plans, or delaying return-to-work steps, the results can guide a conversation about graded activity, pacing, and confidence building. If distress is rising, pain is worsening, or daily tasks are increasingly avoided, consider discussing the results with a qualified clinician. Immediate help is appropriate for severe symptoms or safety concerns.
FAQs
What does a higher score suggest?
Higher scores indicate stronger fear-avoidance beliefs related to activity or work. This may align with more guarding or avoidance behaviors. Use the result as a conversation starter and track changes over time rather than treating it as a final conclusion.
Why are there two subscales?
The activity subscale focuses on beliefs about movement and harm, while the work subscale focuses on job demands and return-to-work concerns. Separating them helps identify which domain drives avoidance and where support or planning may be most useful.
What is the best way to handle N/A items?
If an item truly does not apply, selecting N/A is reasonable. Excluding N/A from the maximum usually makes percents more comparable across people. Treating N/A as zero may lower totals and is best used only for consistent tracking.
How often should I recalculate the score?
Weekly or biweekly tracking can be helpful during recovery planning or behavior change. If symptoms are stable, monthly checks may be enough. Try to answer under similar conditions and keep the same N/A handling setting for comparability.
Can this score diagnose a condition?
No. It is an educational scoring tool and cannot diagnose or replace clinical evaluation. If pain, distress, or functional limits are significant, share results with a qualified professional who can interpret them in your full context.
What do the download buttons include?
The CSV provides item-by-item responses plus subscale totals and percents for easy logging. The PDF provides a printable summary with totals, percent bands, and your selected responses. Downloads reflect the most recent calculated results.