The Impact Of Community-based Adaptive Sports On Depression And Quality Of Life In Adaptive Athletes

Disabling injuries (i.e. spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations), impair activities of daily living and affect mental health. Community-based adaptive sports programs have shown to increase physical activity in individuals with disabling injuries. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of hospital-sponsored, adaptive sports programs (Cycling, Pickleball, Yoga) in persons with disabilities on quality of life (QOL) and depression as compared to prior to their participation. METHODS: A within subjects’ design was used for this pilot prospective study. Participants with disabilities participated in the adaptive sports program. Participants could either be novel to the sport or have participated previously and underwent a washout period of ≥8 months. Before and after program participation, participants completed a modified Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) via Redcap surveys, to assess changes in QOL and depression scores, respectively. Outcome data were analyzed using inferential statistics, including paired sample t-tests of both surveys. All results were reported as medians and interquartile range (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Twelve participants (Pickleball = 5, Cycling = 12, Yoga = 3) completed the pre/post-intervention surveys. Non-significant (p > 0.05) but potentially clinically meaningful trends were observed for improvements in physical functioning (20%), emotional wellbeing (16.4%) and role limitations due to physical (26%) health. Interestingly, CES-D reported an increase in depression (20%); SF-36 reported decreased energy/fatigue (3%) and increased pain (13.6%). CONCLUSION: This study offers preliminary insights into the clinical relevance of adaptive sports in changes in quality of life and depression in people with disabilities. It is possible that adaptive sports may improve physical functioning but may increase pain and fatigue. Larger sample sizes are needed to determine whether these changes are statistically significant. Qualitative data would provide deeper understanding into the observed contradictions in quality of life/depression domains related to participating in adaptive sports. Community adaptive sports may have the potential to be valuable in some areas for innovative rehabilitation care.