Role of Physical Therapy in Managing Anxiety and Depression in Individuals with Mental Health Disorders

Abstract

Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, are prevalent globally, affecting millions of individuals. Physical therapy, traditionally focused on physical rehabilitation, has emerged as a complementary approach to manage mental health symptoms. Objective: This quantitative, cross-sectional study aims to investigate the relationship between physical therapy interventions and symptoms of anxiety and depression in individuals with mental health disorders. Methodology: A sample of 150 participants, aged 18-65 years (mean age = 36.2 ± 11.5 years), with diagnosed anxiety and depression were recruited using convenience sampling. Participants completed standardized assessment tools (GAD-7, PHQ-9) to measure symptom severity and a questionnaire about their physical activity and therapy experiences. Results: The study found significant correlations between physical therapy participation and reduced symptoms of anxiety (r = -0.42, p < 0.001) and depression (r = -0.38, p < 0.001). Participants engaging in regular physical therapy showed lower mean scores on GAD-7 (12.1 ± 4.2 vs. 15.6 ± 4.5) and PHQ-9 (13.4 ± 4.8 vs. 17.2 ± 5.1) compared to those not receiving physical therapy. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study highlights the potential benefits of physical therapy in managing anxiety and depression symptoms. The findings support the consideration of physical therapy as a complementary approach in mental health care, warranting further longitudinal research to establish causal relationships.