BACKGROUND: Cardioembolic stroke is the most common cause of ischemic stroke, and patients frequently have motor dysfunction as well as psychological disorders. Both physical and psychological causes can have an impact on a patient's motor function. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we used the fear-avoidance model to examine the impact of patients' illness perception and kinesiophobia (excessive fear of exercise) on their motor function. METHODS: Between June 2021 and February 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 319 participants diagnosed with cardioembolic stroke in the selected hospitals. Correlation analyses and mediation effects tests were used to analyze the relationship between patients' illness perception, kinesiophobia, and motor function. RESULTS: The total motor function score of the patients was (21.39 ± 29.30), the total kinesiophobia score was (48.51 ± 8.33), and the total illness perception score was (53.37 ± 16.82). There was a negative correlation between illness perception and motor function (r = -0.734, P <
0.001), a negative correlation between kinesiophobia and motor function (r = -0.522, P <
0.001), and a positive correlation between illness perception and kinesiophobia (r = 0.508, P <
0.001)
kinesiophobia played a mediating role between illness perception and motor function (β = -0.63, P <
0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed that individuals with cardioembolic strokes had poor motor function, as well as negative illness perception and kinesiophobia. Negative illness perception had a direct impact on patients' motor function as well as an indirect effect via kinesiophobia. The fear-avoidance model contributes to understanding the process of reduced motor function in cardioembolic stroke patients.