STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate a mediational model where pain (intensity and interference) and fatigue mediate the relationship between the use of mobility aids and moderate-to-severe depressive symptomatology among ambulatory participants with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: A medical university in the southeastern United States. METHODS: Ambulatory adults (N=652) with chronic SCI responded to a mail-in survey. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to assess moderate-to-severe depressive symptomatology. The Brief Pain Inventory was used to assess pain intensity and interference, and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale-5-item version was used to assess fatigue. Participants self-reported use of mobility aids. RESULTS: On examining mobility aids used for ambulation, 65% were found to have used at least one aid. Severe pain intensity was reported by 11%, and 14% reported severe pain interference. Disabling fatigue was reported by 10% of the participants. Twenty-one percent (n=138) reported moderate-to-severe levels of depressive symptoms. On examining the relationships between mobility aids and depressive symptomatology, using people as a mobility aid was associated with increased odds of depressive symptomatology (2.6) and always using a wheelchair was associated with lower odds (0.3). However, these relationships were no longer significant after controlling for the mediating variables pain intensity, pain interference and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Pain and fatigue mediate the relationship between usage of certain mobility aids and depressive symptomatology. The use of people to assist in ambulation is associated with greater odds of moderate-to-severe depressive symptomatology, while always using a wheelchair is associated with lower odds.
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate a mediational model where pain (intensity and interference) and fatigue mediate the relationship between the use of mobility aids and moderate-to-severe depressive symptomatology among ambulatory participants with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: A medical university in the southeastern United States. METHODS: Ambulatory adults (N=652) with chronic SCI responded to a mail-in survey. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to assess moderate-to-severe depressive symptomatology. The Brief Pain Inventory was used to assess pain intensity and interference, and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale-5-item version was used to assess fatigue. Participants self-reported use of mobility aids. RESULTS: On examining mobility aids used for ambulation, 65% were found to have used at least one aid. Severe pain intensity was reported by 11%, and 14% reported severe pain interference. Disabling fatigue was reported by 10% of the participants. Twenty-one percent (n=138) reported moderate-to-severe levels of depressive symptoms. On examining the relationships between mobility aids and depressive symptomatology, using people as a mobility aid was associated with increased odds of depressive symptomatology (2.6) and always using a wheelchair was associated with lower odds (0.3). However, these relationships were no longer significant after controlling for the mediating variables pain intensity, pain interference and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS:Pain and fatigue mediate the relationship between usage of certain mobility aids and depressive symptomatology. The use of people to assist in ambulation is associated with greater odds of moderate-to-severe depressive symptomatology, while always using a wheelchair is associated with lower odds.
Authors: Charles H Bombardier; J Scott Richards; James S Krause; David Tulsky; Denise G Tate Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2004-11 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: Scott D McDonald; Melody N Mickens; Lisa D Goldberg-Looney; Brian J Mutchler; Michael S Ellwood; Teodoro A Castillo Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2017-03-13 Impact factor: 1.985