The Effects of Engagement in Wheelchair Sports on Depression and Anxiety Outcomes of Wheelchair Users

Background and/or Objectives: Increasing evidence supports positive outcomes in physical health, quality of life (QOL), and community integration for individuals who participate in adaptive sports. Although QOL studies are well established, minimal research evaluates mental health parameters such as anxiety and depression in this population. Our study aims to evaluate the effects of participating in recreational league adaptive sports on the psychological wellbeing for individuals with disabilities.

Design: Case-control

Setting : Private practice hospital; affiliated adaptive sports program

Participants : Participants were eligible for participation if they required an assistive device due to physical disability, were over 12 years old, were not hospitalized within 3 months of survey completion, and survey participation was not impacted by impaired cognition or insight.

Interventions: A survey with demographics (age, sex, disability, adaptive sport participation) and mental health screening questions [Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)] was provided to each participant. This was offered to adaptive sports athletes and then to age, sex, and disability matched non-sport peers. Participation was voluntary and anonymous.

Main Outcome Measures: We compared groups based on total scores, and diagnostic categories, of the GAD-7 and PHQ-9.

Results: 65 individuals participated in the study (32 non-sport, 33 adaptive sport). There was no statistically significant difference in age, diagnosis, sex, or trauma disclosure. There was a statistically significant difference in mean GAD-7 score with the non-sport participants scoring 2.37 points higher on average (95% CI [0.18-4.57]). By diagnostic category, there were 26% more sports participants in the ‘minimal’ category for GAD-7 compared to non-sport participants (95% CI [6-46]). There was no statistically significant difference between groups for mean or diagnostic category of the PHQ-9.

Conclusions: This study suggests lower anxiety levels in the adaptive sports population compared to non-sport age, sex, and disability matched peers. This highlights potential positive mental health benefits by participation in recreational league adaptive sports.