New research has shown that people with the highest levels of osteoarthritis-related pain benefit the most from exercise when it comes to reducing depression.
Researchers set out to evaluate whether physical activity is linked with reduced symptoms of depression irrespective of pain levels in individuals with osteoarthritis (OA).
The study was made up of 552 people, including those waiting for an orthopaedic consultation.
The most common joint affected by OA was the knee, followed by the hip, shoulder and foot, with 9% having multiple joints affected.
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Overall, 33.9% of participants had moderate depression scores or higher with 18.8% reporting a major depressive disorder and 10.8% another depressive syndrome.
The researchers, led by Michaela C. Pascoe, from the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, said those with the greatest pain saw the biggest reduction in depression symptoms when engaging in physical activity, describing the finding as “important”.
They said it is significant because people with moderate to severe levels of pain are “overwhelmingly” less likely to engage in physical activity due to pain-related barriers.
Plus, the severity of the depressive symptoms can influence the mediating effect of pain, with greater severity reducing the direct and indirect effects of pain on physical activity.
The study authors said: “This study has provided evidence that physical activity is particularly associated with depression symptoms in people with greater OA-related pain.
“Our finding that individuals with highest levels of pain had the biggest reduction in depression symptoms is important.
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It suggests that individuals with high pain, and who consequently may be the least likely to engage in physical activity may also have the most to gain.
“This highlights the need for education of both health professionals and patients on the importance of regular physical activity for pain management and mental health and access to appropriate self-management or clinical interventions to increase and maintain engagement in physical activity.
“The current work indicates the importance of appropriate care plans and approaches to support individuals, who avoid physical activity due to pain, to safely engage in beneficial physical activity.”
