232 - The Impacts of Depression & Anxiety on the Outcomes of Rehabilitation Patients: A Literature Review

Objectives: Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions that can significantly impact the rehabilitation process in patients recovering from physical health conditions. Understanding the effects of these psychological factors on rehabilitation patients is crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes and enhancing overall well-being of patients. This review aims to understand existing research on the effects of depression and anxiety on rehabilitation patients, exploring their influence on treatment adherence, functional outcomes, and quality of life.



Design: 10 articles were reviewed regarding the effects of depression and anxiety among patients in short-term and long-term rehabilitation. The studies reviewed in this were searched using the keywords “depression”, “anxiety”, “rehabilitation”, and “therapy”. Studies that evaluated depression or anxiety in rehabilitation patients were included and studies that did not evaluate for depression or anxiety in rehabilitation patients were not included.


Results: Depression and anxiety have been associated with decreased treatment adherence in rehabilitation patients. Studies found that patients with higher levels of depression and anxiety were less likely to comply with their prescribed exercises and therapy sessions. This non-adherence may lead to delayed recovery and compromised rehabilitation outcomes. These studies revealed that patients with comorbid depression and anxiety showed slower progress in regaining physical and cognitive functions compared to patients without these comorbid conditions. Furthermore, researchers found that physiatrists that utilize a collaborative approach with a team of mental health professionals and motivational interviewing techniques positively influenced patients' functional recovery.



Conclusions: Literature consistently highlights the effects of depression and anxiety on rehabilitation patients, impacting treatment adherence, functional outcomes, and overall quality of life. Integrating mental health support into rehabilitation programs and providing targeted interventions for patients with these conditions are crucial for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes. Further research is necessary to explore specific intervention strategies and their impact on depression and anxiety in rehabilitation patients.