Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between physical activity (PA) levels and mental health in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Three hospitals in the Seoul metropolitan area were invited to recruit patients with SCI (n = 103). PA levels were measured by the Leisure Score Index of the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to assess mental health. Results: Compared to the least physically active participants (1st tertile, 44.09 ± 52.74 min/week), the most physically active participants (3rd tertile, 670.86 ± 354.97 min/week) scored significantly lower on PHQ-9 (17.03 ± 5.70 vs. 12.49 ± 4.01, p < 0.001), GAD-7 (13.24 ± 4.78 vs. 9.86 ± 3.15, p < 0.001), while significantly higher MSPSS (51.24 ± 10.17 vs. 61.37 ± 11.90, p < 0.001) after the results were adjusted for age, gender, American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment scale, and impaired spinal cord levels. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the PA was a significant predictor of depression (β = −1.50, p = 0.01), anxiety (β = −1.12, p = 0.02), and social support (β = 4.04, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Higher PA participation was associated with lower depression, anxiety, and higher social support scores.
Highlights
Due to advanced medical care and improved technologies, the life expectancy of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) has considerably increased in recent decades [1]
Compared to the least physically active participants (1st tertile, 44.09 ± 52.74 min/week), the most physically active participants (3rd tertile, 670.86 ± 354.97 min/week) scored significantly lower on Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (17.03 ± 5.70 vs. 12.49 ± 4.01, p < 0.001), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) (13.24 ± 4.78 vs. 9.86 ± 3.15, p < 0.001), while significantly higher Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) (51.24 ± 10.17 vs. 61.37 ± 11.90, p < 0.001) after the results were adjusted for age, gender, American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment scale, and impaired spinal cord levels
Higher physical activity (PA) participation was associated with lower depression, anxiety, and higher social support scores
Summary
Due to advanced medical care and improved technologies, the life expectancy of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) has considerably increased in recent decades [1]. SCI still face major life events that lead to serious physical disability and a higher risk of developing secondary health complications such as cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and obesity [2,3,4], which impacts their quality of life (QOL). Besides an increased risk of developing secondary health complications, people with SCI have significantly elevated levels of fatigue, anxiety, and depression [5,6,7]. A recent meta-analysis study indicated that the prevalence of depression after SCI is substantially greater than that in the general medical population [7]. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between physical activity (PA) levels and mental health in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to assess mental health
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