(Research Hub Theater) Effects of Inpatient Rehabilitation on Anxiety and Depression in Patients at an Inpatient Rehabilitation Center

Objective: Previous research on the topic has demonstrated the positive impact of inpatient rehabilitation on specific populations within inpatient rehabilitation centers. Our objective was to determine the effects of inpatient rehabilitation on anxiety and depression on patients with non-neurological diagnoses who are admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation center.

Design: Prospective longitudinal study

Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation center

Participants: 20 patients

Interventions: Not applicable

Main Outcome Measures: General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores at 2 timepoints during inpatient rehabilitation: admission and discharge.

Results: 18 patients met the inclusion criteria. However, 2 patients did not complete any surveys and 1 patient did not complete surveys at discharge. The remaining 15 patients successfully completed surveys at admission and discharge during inpatient rehabilitation. The mean GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores at admission were 7.58±6.19 and 6.73±6.03, respectively. The mean GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores at discharge were 5.93±6.18 and 6.93±6.82, respectively. The mean differences between admission and discharge (difference = discharge score - admission score) for GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were -1.64±3.66 (p=0.10) and 0.20±5.93 (p=0.89), respectively.

Conclusions: GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were not statistically significant between admission and discharge although a downward trend was noted for GAD-7 scores.